Richard Temple, 1st Viscount Cobham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Viscount Cobham
|
|
|---|---|
Richard Temple, 1st Viscount Cobham painted by Jean-Baptiste van Loo, around 1740
|
|
| Born | 24 October 1675 Parchim, Mecklenburg-Schwerin |
| Died | 14 September 1749 (aged 73) Stowe House |
| Buried |
Stowe
|
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of England (1685–1707) Kingdom of Great Britain (1707–1749) |
| Service/ |
English Army British Army |
| Years of service | 1685–1749 |
| Rank | Field Marshal |
| Battles/wars | Williamite War in Ireland Nine Years' War War of the Spanish Succession War of the Quadruple Alliance |
Richard Temple, 1st Viscount Cobham (born 24 October 1675 – died 14 September 1749) was an important British soldier and politician. He was a member of the Whig party. He started his military career as a young officer. He served under King William III in the Williamite War in Ireland and the Nine Years' War. Later, he fought under the famous John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough during the War of the Spanish Succession.
Richard Temple also led a group of 4,000 soldiers in a raid on the Spanish coast. They captured the city of Vigo during the War of the Quadruple Alliance. They held it for ten days before leaving. In politics, he usually supported the Whig party. However, he had disagreements with Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole in 1733. He was also well-known for owning and improving his large estate at Stowe. He helped guide young politicians, including William Pitt.
Contents
Military Career
Early Life and Military Beginnings
Richard Temple was born to Sir Richard Temple, 3rd Baronet, and Mary Temple. He went to school at Eton College and Christ's College, Cambridge. He joined the army as an ensign (a junior officer) in Prince George of Denmark's Regiment on 30 June 1685.
In 1689, he became a captain in Babington's Regiment. He fought alongside King William III in Ireland. This was during the Williamite War in Ireland, against the army of James II. He was also part of the Siege of Namur in July 1695. This battle happened during the Nine Years' War.
Fighting in Major Wars
In May 1697, Richard Temple became the 4th Baronet after his father passed away. Later that year, he became a member of parliament for Buckingham. He represented either Buckingham or Buckinghamshire for the next 16 years.
He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in February 1702. He was then given his own regiment to lead. He fought under John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough in the War of the Spanish Succession. He was at the Battle of Venlo in September 1702 and the Battle of Roermond in October 1702. He also took part in the Battle of Oudenarde in July 1708. He was also at the Siege of Lille in Autumn 1708.
Because he fought so well at Lille, he was sent home to deliver important messages to Queen Anne. In Parliament, he supported the Whig party. He was promoted to major-general in January 1709. He fought again at the Battle of Malplaquet in September 1709. He became a lieutenant general in January 1710.
A New Role in Politics
For his excellent military service, Richard Temple was made colonel of the Princess Anne of Denmark's Regiment of Dragoons in April 1710. In 1713, a different government removed him from his colonel position. This was because he voted against a peace treaty called the Treaty of Utrecht.
However, when George I became king, Temple's luck changed. He became an ambassador to Vienna. In October 1714, he was given the title Baron Cobham. He became colonel of The Royal Regiment of Dragoons in 1715. He was also made Constable of Windsor Castle in 1716. In July 1716, he became a Privy Councillor. This meant he was a trusted advisor to the King. In April 1718, he was given an even higher title: Viscount Cobham.
In September 1719, during the War of the Quadruple Alliance, Temple led 4,000 troops. They raided the Spanish coast and captured Vigo. They held the city for ten days before leaving.
Temple generally supported the government of Sir Robert Walpole when it came to power in April 1721. As a reward, he became colonel of the King's Own Regiment of Horse later that year. He became Governor of Jersey in May 1723. He was also made Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire in March 1728.
Building Stowe Gardens
From 1711, Richard Temple started making big changes to his family estate at Stowe. The famous architect John Vanbrugh helped with the design. Charles Bridgeman, who would later become a royal gardener, also worked on the gardens. The gardens at Stowe became very famous and beautiful.
A Mentor to Young Politicians
Richard Temple was a mentor and supporter to many young Whig politicians. The most famous of these was William Pitt. This group of young politicians became known as Cobham's Cubs. Two of them, Pitt and Temple's nephew George Grenville, later became Prime Minister.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1733, Richard Temple had a disagreement with Prime Minister Robert Walpole. Temple formed a group within the Whig Party to oppose a new tax bill. Because of this, he lost his colonel position again. He was promoted to full general in October 1735.
Temple continued to support young politicians like William Pitt. He helped Pitt get his first military rank. His group of young supporters, "Cobham's Cubs," included Richard Grenville, George Grenville, and George Lyttelton, as well as Pitt.
Richard Temple was promoted to field marshal in July 1742. He became colonel of the 1st Troop of Horse Grenadier Guards on the same day. He also became colonel of Viscount Cobham's Regiment of Horse in 1744. In June 1745, he became colonel of Viscount Cobham's Regiment of Dragoons. He passed away at Stowe on 13 September 1749 and was buried there.
The famous poet Alexander Pope admired Richard Temple. Pope even wrote a poem praising Temple's gardens at Stowe. Pope described Temple as a practical man who always wanted to serve his country.
Family
In September 1715, Richard Temple married Anne Halsey. Her family's wealth helped him maintain the large Stowe estate. They did not have any children who survived to adulthood. Richard Temple arranged for his sister's family, the Grenvilles, to inherit his titles and estates. His sister Hester Grenville's eldest son would take the name Grenville-Temple. He would eventually become the 2nd Viscount Cobham and inherit the estates of Wotton and Stowe.
Images for kids
-
The Park at Stowe, part of the Temple estate
-
William Pitt the Elder, a young politician mentored by Richard Temple
-
Richard Temple's signature and seal on a marriage document from 1734
