Richard Edgcumbe, 2nd Earl of Mount Edgcumbe
Encyclopedia
Richard Edgcumbe, 2nd Earl of Mount Edgcumbe PC (13 September 1764 – 26 September 1839), styled Viscount Valletort between 1789 and 1795, was a British politician and writer on music.
, and Emma, daughter of John Gilbert (archbishop of York). He gained the courtesy title
Viscount Valletort when his father was made Earl of Mount Edgcumbe in 1789.
in 1786. In the June 1790 election there was a double return for the constituency, but Edgcumbe and another candidate was declared elected in March 1791. In June 1790 he was also returned for Lostwithiel
, but chose to represent Fowey. In 1795 he succeeded his father in the earldom and entered the House of Lords
. He served under the Duke of Portland
and Spencer Perceval
as Captain of the Honourable Band of Gentlemen Pensioners between 1808 and 1812. In 1808 he was sworn of the Privy Council. In the same year he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society
Edgcumbe was also Lord Lieutenant
and Vice-Admiral of Cornwall between 1795 (succeeding his father) and 1839.
, on 21 February 1789. They had five children:
The Countess of Mount Edgcumbe died in August 1806. Lord Mount Edgcumbe remained a widower until his death in September 1839, aged 75.
Background
Edgcumbe was the son of George Edgcumbe, 1st Earl of Mount EdgcumbeGeorge Edgcumbe, 1st Earl of Mount Edgcumbe
Admiral George Edgcumbe, 1st Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, PC was a British peer, naval officer and politician....
, and Emma, daughter of John Gilbert (archbishop of York). He gained the courtesy title
Courtesy title
A courtesy title is a form of address in systems of nobility used for children, former wives and other close relatives of a peer. These styles are used 'by courtesy' in the sense that the relatives do not themselves hold substantive titles...
Viscount Valletort when his father was made Earl of Mount Edgcumbe in 1789.
Political career
Edgcumbe was returned to parliament for FoweyFowey (UK Parliament constituency)
Fowey was a rotten borough in Cornwall which returned two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons in the English and later British Parliament from 1571 to 1832, when it was abolished by the Great Reform Act.-History:...
in 1786. In the June 1790 election there was a double return for the constituency, but Edgcumbe and another candidate was declared elected in March 1791. In June 1790 he was also returned for Lostwithiel
Lostwithiel (UK Parliament constituency)
Lostwithiel was a rotten borough in Cornwall which returned two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons in the English and later British Parliament from 1304 to 1832, when it was abolished by the Great Reform Act.-History:...
, but chose to represent Fowey. In 1795 he succeeded his father in the earldom and entered the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
. He served under the Duke of Portland
William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland
William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland, KG, PC was a British Whig and Tory statesman, Chancellor of the University of Oxford and Prime Minister. He was known before 1762 by the courtesy title Marquess of Titchfield. He held a title of every degree of British nobility—Duke,...
and Spencer Perceval
Spencer Perceval
Spencer Perceval, KC was a British statesman and First Lord of the Treasury, making him de facto Prime Minister. He is the only British Prime Minister to have been assassinated...
as Captain of the Honourable Band of Gentlemen Pensioners between 1808 and 1812. In 1808 he was sworn of the Privy Council. In the same year he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society
Edgcumbe was also Lord Lieutenant
Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall
This is a list of people who have served as Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall. Since 1742, all the Lords Lieutenant have also been Custos Rotulorum of Cornwall.*John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford 1552–1554*John Bourchier, 2nd Earl of Bath 1556–?...
and Vice-Admiral of Cornwall between 1795 (succeeding his father) and 1839.
Writer on music
Edgcumbe was the author of Musical Reminiscences of the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, containing a list of the operas he heard from 1773 to 1823. This book has been often cited by musicologists concerned with operatic history from Mozart to Rossini.Family
Lord Mount Edgcumbe married Lady Sophia Hobart, daughter of John Hobart, 2nd Earl of BuckinghamshireJohn Hobart, 2nd Earl of Buckinghamshire
John Hobart, 2nd Earl of Buckinghamshire was an English nobleman and politician.The son of John Hobart, 1st Earl of Buckinghamshire by his first marriage, he was educated at Westminster School and Christ's College, Cambridge. He was Member of Parliament for Norwich from 1747–56, having also been...
, on 21 February 1789. They had five children:
- Lady Emma Sophia Edgcumbe (28 July 1791 – 28 January 1872), married John Cust, 1st Earl BrownlowJohn Cust, 1st Earl BrownlowJohn Cust, 1st Earl Brownlow, GCH was a British Peer and Tory politician.Cust was the eldest son of the 1st Baron Brownlow and his second wife, Frances. In 1802, he was elected as MP for Clitheroe and held the seat until he succeeded to his father's title in 1807. In May, 1805 he was elected a...
on 17 July 1828. - Lady Caroline Anne Edgcumbe (22 October 1792 – 10 April 1824), married Ranald George Macdonald, 20th of Clanranald, in April 1812 and had issue.
- William Richard Edgcumbe, Viscount ValletortWilliam Edgcumbe, Viscount ValletortWilliam Richard Edgcumbe, Viscount Valletort , was a British politician.-Background:Valletort was the eldest son of Richard Edgcumbe, 2nd Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, and Lady Sophia, daughter of John Hobart, 2nd Earl of Buckinghamshire.-Political career:Valletort was elected Member of Parliament for...
(19 November 1794 – 29 October 1818). - Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, 3rd Earl of Mount EdgcumbeErnest Edgcumbe, 3rd Earl of Mount EdgcumbeErnest Augustus Edgcumbe, 3rd Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , styled Viscount Valletort between 1818 and 1837, was a British peer and politician.-Background:...
(23 March 1797 – 3 September 1861). - Hon. George Edgcumbe (28 June 1800 – 18 February 1885).
The Countess of Mount Edgcumbe died in August 1806. Lord Mount Edgcumbe remained a widower until his death in September 1839, aged 75.