David Murray, 2nd Earl of Mansfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl of Mansfield
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Portrait by Silvester Harding
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| Lord President of the Council | |
| In office 17 December 1794 – 1 September 1796 |
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| Monarch | George III |
| Prime Minister | William Pitt |
| Preceded by | The Earl FitzWilliam |
| Succeeded by | The Earl of Chatham |
| In office 2 April 1783 – 19 December 1783 |
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| Monarch | George III |
| Prime Minister | The Duke of Portland |
| Preceded by | The Lord Camden |
| Succeeded by | The Earl Gower |
| Secretary of State for the Northern Department | |
| In office 27 October 1779 – 27 March 1782 |
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| Monarch | George III |
| Prime Minister | Lord North |
| Preceded by | The Viscount Weymouth |
| Succeeded by | Office Abolished The Earl of Shelburne as Home Secretary Charles James Fox as Foreign Secretary |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
David Murray
9 October 1727 |
| Died | 1 September 1796 (aged 68) |
| Resting place | Westminster Abbey (body) Comlongon Castle (heart) |
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| Parents |
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| Relatives | William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield (paternal uncle) |
| Alma mater | Westminster School Christ Church, Oxford |
| Occupation | Politician |
David Murray, 2nd Earl of Mansfield (born October 9, 1727 – died September 1, 1796) was an important British politician. He was also known as the 7th Viscount of Stormont for most of his life. He inherited two important titles and two family fortunes.
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Who Was David Murray?
David Murray was the son of David Murray, 6th Viscount of Stormont. His mother was Anne Stewart. His uncle was William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield, who was a very important judge. The family's historic home was Scone Palace in Scotland.
His Life in Public Service
David Murray had a long career serving his country. He worked as an ambassador (a country's official representative) in several European cities.
Ambassador to European Courts
He was an ambassador in Warsaw, Vienna, and France. While in France, he sent important news about the American War of Independence back to England.
A famous historian named Johann Joachim Winckelmann once said that David Murray was "the most learned man of his rank." This means he was very smart for someone of his social standing.
While in Dresden, Germany, he met his first wife, Countess Henrietta Frederica von Bünau. They married in Warsaw in 1759.
Later, he became the British Ambassador to Austria from 1763 to 1772. He served at the court of Empress Maria Theresa. After that, he was ambassador to Paris from 1772 to 1778.
Meeting Royalty
In Paris, he met Queen Marie Antoinette of France. He had known her when she was a young princess in Vienna. Marie Antoinette was happy to see a friendly face. She even gave him a special writing desk as a gift. She called him "le bel Anglais", which means "the beautiful English."
In 1774, his uncle, the 1st Earl of Mansfield, visited him in France. David Murray introduced his uncle to King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette at the famous Palace of Versailles.
Important Government Roles
David Murray held several high-ranking positions in the British government:
- He was the last Secretary of State for the Northern Department from 1779 to 1782. This role involved managing foreign affairs for northern Europe.
- He served as Lord President of the Council twice, from 1783 and again from 1794 to 1796. This person leads a very old and important council that advises the King.
- He was also the Lord Justice General from 1778 to 1795. This was a top legal position in Scotland.
- He became a member of the Privy Council of Great Britain in 1763. This group advises the King.
- In 1768, he was made a Knight of the Thistle, which is a special honor.
His Family Life
David Murray, then known as Lord Stormont, married Countess Henrietta Frederica von Bünau in 1759. They had two daughters:
- Lady Elizabeth Murray (1760–1825)
- Hon. Henrietta Anne Murray (1764–1765)
Sadly, Henrietta died in 1766. Ten years later, in 1776, he married his second wife, The Hon. Louisa Cathcart. She was much younger than him. They had five children:
- David William Murray, 3rd Earl of Mansfield (1777–1840)
- Lieutenant-general The Hon. George Murray (1780–1848)
- Major The Hon. Charles Murray (1781–1859)
- General Sir Henry Murray (1784–1860)
- Lady Caroline Murray (died 1867)
In 1793, David Murray inherited the title of 2nd Earl of Mansfield from his uncle. His wife, Louisa, became the 2nd Countess of Mansfield. He also inherited Kenwood House, a beautiful estate in London.
Lord Mansfield passed away in September 1796. He was buried with his uncle in Westminster Abbey. His heart was buried separately at Comlongon Castle. His oldest son, David, inherited his titles and Kenwood House. Two of his other sons, George and Henry, became high-ranking generals in the army.
His wife, Louisa, lived for many more years. She married again in 1797 and died in 1843.
In Media
- Actor Peter Hudson played Lord Stormont in the BBC TV series Marie Antoinette (2022).
See also
- William Eden, 1st Baron Auckland
- Jean-Charles-Pierre Lenoir
