William Stanhope, 2nd Earl of Harrington
Encyclopedia
General William Stanhope, 2nd Earl of Harrington (December 18, 1719 – April 1, 1779) was a British
politician
and soldier
.
The son of William Stanhope, 1st Earl of Harrington
, he took up a military career and joined the Foot Guards
in 1741, and was also returned for Aylesbury
. He was wounded at the battle of Fontenoy
and shortly thereafter (June 5, 1745) was appointed colonel of the Second Troop of Horse Grenadier Guards
, an appointment he held for the remainder of his life.
He married Lady Caroline FitzRoy (1722–1784), daughter of Charles FitzRoy, 2nd Duke of Grafton
, on August 11, 1746. They had seven children:
In 1747, he became MP for Bury St Edmunds
, and in 1755, was promoted major-general. He succeeded to the earldom in 1756, and was promoted lieutenant-general in 1758 and general
in 1770.
He was known to society as "the goat of quality" for the dissipation of his personal life: he visited the brothel of Sarah Prendergast in King's Place, St James's, London
, four times a week. His wife Lady Harrington formed "The New Female Coterie", a group of demimondaines
which met in the same house.
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and soldier
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
.
The son of William Stanhope, 1st Earl of Harrington
William Stanhope, 1st Earl of Harrington
William Stanhope, 1st Earl of Harrington, PC was a British statesman and diplomat.He was a younger son of John Stanhope of Elvaston, Derbyshire, and a brother of Charles Stanhope , an active politician during the reign of George I. His ancestor, Sir John Stanhope , was a half-brother of Philip...
, he took up a military career and joined the Foot Guards
Foot Guards
-British Army:The Foot Guards are the Regular Infantry regiments of the Household Division of the British Army. There have been six regiments of foot guards, five of which still exist. The Royal Guards Reserve Regiment was a reserve formation of the Household Brigade in existence from 1900-1901...
in 1741, and was also returned for Aylesbury
Aylesbury (UK Parliament constituency)
Aylesbury is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom. The Conservative Party has held the seat since 1924, and held it at the 2010 general election with a 52.2% share of the vote.-Boundaries:...
. He was wounded at the battle of Fontenoy
Battle of Fontenoy
The Battle of Fontenoy, 11 May 1745, was a major engagement of the War of the Austrian Succession, fought between the forces of the Pragmatic Allies – comprising mainly Dutch, British, and Hanoverian troops under the nominal command of the Duke of Cumberland – and a French army under Maurice de...
and shortly thereafter (June 5, 1745) was appointed colonel of the Second Troop of Horse Grenadier Guards
Horse Grenadier Guards
The Horse Grenadier Guards were a series of cavalry troops in the British Household Cavalry between 1687 and 1788, who used grenades and other explosives in battle. Originally attached to the Horse Guards, they became independent for a century before being disbanded...
, an appointment he held for the remainder of his life.
He married Lady Caroline FitzRoy (1722–1784), daughter of Charles FitzRoy, 2nd Duke of Grafton
Charles FitzRoy, 2nd Duke of Grafton
Charles FitzRoy, 2nd Duke of Grafton KG PC was an Irish and English politician.He was born the only child of Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton and Isabella Bennet, 2nd Countess of Arlington...
, on August 11, 1746. They had seven children:
- Lady Caroline Stanhope (March 11, 1747 – February 9, 1767), married Kenneth Mackenzie, 1st Earl of SeaforthKenneth Mackenzie, 1st Earl of SeaforthKenneth Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Seaforth FRS was a British peer and politician and Chief of the Highland Clan Mackenzie.-Origins:...
- Lady Isabella Stanhope (c. 1748 – January 29, 1819), married Charles Molyneux, 1st Earl of SeftonCharles Molyneux, 1st Earl of SeftonCharles William Molyneux, 1st Earl of Sefton was a Member of the British Parliament and a member of the peerage of Ireland.He was born on 11 October 1748, the son of Thomas and Mary Molyneux...
- Lady Amelia Stanhope (May 24, 1749 – September 5, 1780), married Richard Barry, 6th Earl of Barrymore
- Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl of HarringtonCharles Stanhope, 3rd Earl of HarringtonGeneral Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl of Harrington PC, PC , styled Viscount Petersham until 1779, was a British soldier. Stanhope is sometimes confused with an exact contemporary of his, the 3rd Earl Stanhope....
(1753–1829) - Capt. Hon. Henry Fitzroy Stanhope (c. 1754 – August 20, 1828), married Elizabeth Falconer and had issue
- Lady Henrietta Stanhope (c. 1756 – January 2, 1781), married Thomas Foley, 2nd Baron FoleyThomas Foley, 2nd Baron FoleyThomas Foley, 2nd Baron Foley may refer to:*Thomas Foley, 2nd Baron Foley , second baron of the first creation*Thomas Foley, 2nd Baron Foley , second baron of the second creation...
- Lady Anna Maria Stanhope (c. 1760 – October 18, 1834), married first Thomas Pelham-Clinton, 3rd Duke of Newcastle-under-LyneThomas Pelham-Clinton, 3rd Duke of Newcastle-under-LyneMajor-General Thomas Pelham-Clinton, 3rd Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne , known as Lord Thomas Pelham-Clinton until 1779 and as Earl of Lincoln from 1779 to 1794, was a British soldier and politician....
and second Gen. Sir Charles CraufurdCharles CraufurdLieutenant-General Sir Charles Gregan Craufurd GCB was a Scottish soldier.Craufurd was the second son of Sir Alexander Crauford, 1st Baronet , and the elder brother of Robert Craufurd. He entered the 1st Dragoon Guards in 1778. Made captain in the Queen's Bays in 1785, he became the equerry and...
In 1747, he became MP for Bury St Edmunds
Bury St Edmunds (UK Parliament constituency)
Bury St Edmunds is a county constituency located in Suffolk and centred on the town of Bury St Edmunds. It elects one Member of Parliament to in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom...
, and in 1755, was promoted major-general. He succeeded to the earldom in 1756, and was promoted lieutenant-general in 1758 and general
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
in 1770.
He was known to society as "the goat of quality" for the dissipation of his personal life: he visited the brothel of Sarah Prendergast in King's Place, St James's, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, four times a week. His wife Lady Harrington formed "The New Female Coterie", a group of demimondaines
Demimonde
Demi-monde refers to a group of people who live hedonistic lifestyles, usually in a flagrant and conspicuous manner. The term was commonly used in Europe from the late 18th to the early 20th century, and modern use often refers to that period...
which met in the same house.