HERBERT, George Augustus, Lord Herbert (1759-1827).

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1790-1820, ed. R. Thorne, 1986
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

1780 - 17 Nov. 1784
9 Feb. 1788 - 26 Jan. 1794

Family and Education

b. 10 Sept. 1759, o.s. of Henry, 10th Earl of Pembroke, by Lady Elizabeth Spencer, da. of Charles, 3rd Duke of Marlborough. educ. Harrow 1770-5; Grand Tour 1775-80. m. (1) 8 Apr. 1787, his cos. Elizabeth (d. 25 Mar. 1793), da. of Topham Beauclerk by Lady Diana Spencer, da. of Charles, 3rd Duke of Marlborough, 3s. 1da.; (2) 25 Jan. 1808, Catherine, da. of Simon, Count Woronzoff, Russian ambassador to England 1784-1806, 1s. 5da. suc. fa. as 11th Earl of Pembroke 26 Jan. 1794; KG 17 Jan. 1805.

Offices Held

Ensign 12 Ft. 1775; capt. 75 Ft. 1778; capt. 1 Drag. 1778; maj. 22 Drag. 1781; lt.-col. 2 Drag. 1782, brevet col. 1793; maj.-gen. 1795; col. 6 Drag. 1797-d.; lt.-gen. 1802, gen. 1812.

PC 17 Nov. 1784; vice-chamberlain 1784-94; gov. Guernsey 1807-d.; ambassador extraordinary to Austria 1807.

Ld. lt. Wilts. 1794-d.

Biography

Lord Herbert sat for Wilton on the family interest, but showed no great inclination for Parliament. A courtier, he was an admirer of Pitt who supported his administration without speaking. In 1791 he was reckoned hostile to the repeal of the Test Act in Scotland. In 1793 he took part with credit in the Flanders campaign and was ‘sick of the profession, but could not leave it’.1 He returned to England in the following January to succeed to his father’s title. With all the domestic virtues and a reputation as an ‘improved landlord’, he could seldom be drawn into public life, declining several offices and (in 1800) a marquessate. He died 26 Oct. 1827.

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Author: R. G. Thorne

Notes

Based on Pembroke Pprs.

  • 1. Malmesbury Diaries, iii. 19.