George Hervey, 2nd Earl of Bristol

George Hervey
British Ambassador to Spain
In office
1758–1761
Preceded byBenjamin Keene
Succeeded byWilliam Zuylestein
Personal details
Born3 August 1721
DiedMarch 1775(1775-03-00) (aged 53)
Parent(s)John Hervey
Mary Lepell
Military service
AllegianceGreat Britain

George William Hervey, 2nd Earl of Bristol (3 August 1721 – 18? or 20? March 1775), the eldest son of John Hervey, 2nd Baron Hervey, by his marriage with Mary, daughter of Nicholas Lepell.[1]

Lord Bristol served for some years in the army, and in 1755 was sent to Turin as envoy extraordinary. He was ambassador at Madrid from 1758 to 1761, filling a difficult position with credit and dignity, and ranked among the followers of Pitt.[1]

Appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1766, he never visited that country during his short tenure of this office, and, after having served for a short time as keeper of the Privy Seal, became groom of the stool to George III in January 1770. He died unmarried, despite a youthful flirtation with the Lady Townshend,[2] and was succeeded by his brother.[1]

  1. ^ a b c  One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainChisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Bristol, Earls and Marquesses of s.v. George William Hervey". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 4 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 575.
  2. ^ Sherson, Errol (1926). The Lively Lady Townshend and her Friends. London: William Heinemann Ltd. pp. 282–283.