Home > William Stanhope, 1st Earl of Harrington

He was a younger son of John Stanhope of Elvaston, Derbyshire, and a brother of Charles Stanhope (1673-1760), an active politician during the reign of George I. His ancestor, Sir John Stanhope (d. 1638), was a half-brother of Philip Stanhope, 1st Earl of Chesterfield . Educated at Eton, William Stanhope entered the army and served in Spain, during the War of the Spanish Succession, but soon he turned his attention to more peaceful pursuits, went on a mission to Madrid and represented his country at Turin.

When peace was made between England and Spain in 1720 Stanhope became British ambassador to the latter country, and he retained this position until March 1727, having built up his reputation as a diplomatist during a difficult period. In 1729 he had some part in arranging the Treaty of Seville between England, France and Spain, and for his services in this matter he was created Baron Harrington in January 1730.

Later in the same year he was appointed Secretary of State for the Northern Department under Sir Robert Walpole, replacing Lord TownshendCharles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend ( 1674 June 21, 1738), English statesman, was the eldest son of Sir Horatio Townshend, Bart. 1630- 1687), a zealous supporter of Charles II, who was created Baron Townshend in 1661 and Viscount Townshend of Raynha, but, like George IIGeorge II (George Augustus) ( 10 November 1683 25 October 1760) was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg (Hanover) and Archtreasurer and Prince-Elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 11 June 1727 until his death. He was the second, he was anxious to assist the emperor Charles VICharles VI ( October 1, 1685 October 20, 1740) was Holy Roman Emperor from 1711 to 1740 and the second son of Leopold I with his third wife Eleonore-Magdalena of Pfalz-Neuburg''. His educator was Anton Florian of Liechtenstein. On terms of a contract he w in his warHistory Military history War The War of the Polish Succession ( 1733- 1738) was a European war and a Polish civil war, with considerable interference from other countries, to determine the succession to Augustus II, King of Poland. Former Polish king Stan with France, while Walpole favored a policy of peace. Although the latter had his way Harrington remained secretary until the great minister's fall in 1742Events January 24 Charles VII Albert becomes Holy Roman Emperor. February 16 Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington, becomes Prime Minister of Great Britain. February 18 British attack La Guayra. April 8 The first performance of George Frideric Handel's orat, when he was transferred to the office of Lord President of the CouncilThe Office of Lord President of the Council is a British cabinet position, the holder of which acts as Presiding officer of the Privy Council. The Lord President's principal responsibility is to preside at meetings of the Privy Council, at which the Briti and was created Earl of Harrington and Viscount Petersham.

In 1744Events The third French and Indian War, known as " King George's War," breaks out at Port Royal, Nova Scotia Ongoing events War of the Austrian Succession ( 1740- 1748) Births May 19 Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Queen-Consort of King George III of G, owing to the influence of his political allies, theHenry Pelham ( September 25, 1694 March 6, 1754) was a British statesman, who served as Prime Minister of Great Britain from February 14, 1743 to his death about ten years later. For the first year of his prime ministry, power was held by John Carteret, 3 Pelhams, he returned to his former post of Secretary of State, but he soon lost the favor of the king, and this was the principal cause why he left office in October 1746. He was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1747 to 1751, and he died in London on 8 December 1756.

This article incorporates text from the public domain 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica. 1911 Britannica