Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl of Harrington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl of Harrington
|
|
|---|---|
Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl of Harrington
|
|
| Born | Charles Stanhope 17 March 1753 |
| Died | 5 September 1829 (aged 76) Brighton, East Sussex, England |
| Title | 3rd Earl of Harrington |
| Tenure | 1779–1829 |
| Other titles | Viscount Petersham Baron Harrington Knight Grand Cross, Royal Guelphic Order |
| Nationality | British |
| Residence | Elvaston Castle |
| Wars and battles | American Revolutionary War |
| Offices | Colonel of the 1st Regiment of Life Guards Commander-in-Chief, Ireland Constable and Governor of Windsor Castle Member of Parliament for Thetford (1774) Member of Parliament for Westminster (1776–1779) Member of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, Member of the Privy Council of Ireland |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Parents | William Stanhope, 2nd Earl of Harrington Lady Caroline FitzRoy |
| Occupation | Peer, soldier |
|
|
|
General Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl of Harrington (born March 17, 1753 – died September 5, 1829), was an important British soldier and politician. Before he became the Earl of Harrington in 1779, people knew him as Viscount Petersham. He served in the British Army and was also a member of the British Parliament.
Contents
Early Life of Charles Stanhope
Charles Stanhope was born into an important family. His father was William Stanhope, 2nd Earl of Harrington. His mother was Lady Caroline FitzRoy. She was the daughter of the Duke of Grafton. Charles went to Eton College, a famous school in England.
Military Career and Battles
Charles Stanhope started his military career in 1769. He joined the Coldstream Guards, a well-known British Army regiment.
Serving in the American Revolutionary War
During the American Revolutionary War, Charles Stanhope was known as Viscount Petersham. He led a group of soldiers called the Grenadier company of the 29th Regiment of Foot. He also worked as an aide to General John Burgoyne. This was during the Saratoga campaign, a key part of the war.
Leading Regiments
After the American Revolutionary War, he continued his military service. He was the Colonel of several regiments:
- The 85th Regiment of Foot from 1778 to 1783.
- The 65th Regiment of Foot from 1783 to 1788.
- The 29th Regiment of Foot from 1788 to 1792.
From 1792 until his death, he was the Colonel of the 1st Life Guards. He became a full general in 1803. Later, he received a special honor called the GCH in 1821.
Important Military Roles
From 1805 to 1812, Charles Stanhope was the Commander-in-Chief, Ireland. This meant he was in charge of the British forces there. He also went on important diplomatic trips to cities like Vienna and Berlin.
You can see Viscount Petersham in a famous painting. It is called "The Burial of General Fraser at Saratoga." He is standing above General Simon Fraser in the picture.
Political Life in Parliament
Charles Stanhope also had a career in politics. He was a Member of Parliament (MP). This means he was elected to represent people in the British government.
He was an MP for Thetford for a short time in 1774. Then, from 1776 to 1779, he represented Westminster. He stopped being an MP when he inherited his father's title and became the Earl of Harrington.
Family Life
Lord Harrington married Jane Fleming. She was the daughter of Sir John Fleming. Jane was also a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Charlotte. This was an important role in the royal household.
Lord and Lady Harrington had eleven children together. Some of their children grew up to have important lives:
- Charles Stanhope, 4th Earl of Harrington (1780–1851) became the next Earl.
- Anna Maria Stanhope, Duchess of Bedford (1783–1857) married into the Bedford family.
- Leicester FitzGerald Charles Stanhope, 5th Earl of Harrington (1784–1862) also became an Earl later.
Their children married into other notable families. They continued the Stanhope family line.
