Thomas Villiers, 1st Earl of Clarendon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl of Clarendon
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| Envoy Extraordinary to the Court of Augustus III | |
| In office 1738–1742 |
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| Monarch | George II |
| Envoy Extraordinary to the Court of Maria Theresa | |
| In office 1742–1743 |
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| Monarch | George II |
| Envoy Extraordinary to the Court of Frederick II of Prussia | |
| In office 1746–1748 |
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| Monarch | George II |
| Member of Parliament for Tamworth |
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| In office 1747–1756 |
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| Prime Minister | Henry Pelham The Duke of Newcastle |
| Preceded by | Lord John Sackville |
| Succeeded by | William de Grey |
| Postmaster General | |
| In office 1763–1765 |
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| Prime Minister | George Grenville |
| Preceded by | The Earl of Egmont |
| Succeeded by | The Earl of Bessborough |
| In office 1786 – his death |
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| Prime Minister | William Pitt the Younger |
| Preceded by | The Earl of Tankerville |
| Succeeded by | The Lord Walsingham |
| Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster | |
| In office 1771–1782 |
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| Prime Minister | The Lord North |
| Preceded by | The Lord Strange |
| Succeeded by | The Lord Ashburton |
| In office 1783–1786 |
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| Prime Minister | William Pitt the Younger |
| Preceded by | The Earl of Derby |
| Succeeded by | The Lord Hawkesbury |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1709 |
| Died | (aged 76/77) Watford, England |
| Nationality | English |
| Political party | Whig |
| Spouse | Lady Charlotte Capell |
| Children |
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| Parents |
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| Alma mater | Queens' College, Cambridge |
| Occupation | Politician and diplomat |
Thomas Villiers, 1st Earl of Clarendon (born 1709 – died December 11, 1786) was an important British politician and diplomat. He was a member of the Villiers family, known for their roles in British history. He was also a member of the Privy Council, a group of advisors to the King.
Thomas was the second son of William Villiers, 2nd Earl of Jersey. His mother was Judith Herne.
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Early Life and Education
Thomas Villiers went to school at Eton College, a famous boarding school. After that, he studied at Queens' College, Cambridge University.
After finishing his studies, he decided to become a diplomat. A diplomat is someone who represents their country in other nations. They help keep good relationships between countries.
A Career in Diplomacy
Thomas Villiers worked as a British diplomat for many years. His job was to represent Great Britain in different countries.
- From 1740 to 1747, he was the British envoy (a type of diplomat) to the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Electorate of Saxony. At that time, both places were ruled by the same person, Augustus III of Poland.
- He also went to Vienna, the capital of Austria, from 1742 to 1743. There, he was an envoy to the court of Maria Theresa of Austria.
- His last diplomatic role was in Berlin, the capital of Prussia, from 1746 to 1748. He was an envoy to the court of Frederick II of Prussia.
Working in Parliament
Besides his work as a diplomat, Thomas Villiers was also involved in British politics. He was a member of the British Whig Party. This party was very powerful in the Parliament of Great Britain during his time.
In 1747, he was elected to Parliament in a general election. He became a Member of Parliament (MP) for the area called Tamworth. He served as an MP from 1747 to 1756. After this, he stopped working as a diplomat.
Important Government Jobs
Thomas Villiers held several important positions in the British government.
- From 1748 to 1756, he was a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty. This meant he was one of seven people who helped manage the Royal Navy, which is Britain's navy. He worked under two First Lords of the Admiralty, John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich and George Anson, 1st Baron Anson.
- In 1756, he was given a special title called Baron Hyde of Hindon. This made him a member of the peerage, a group of high-ranking nobles. This title was given to him because his wife's family had held a similar title before.
- From 1763 to 1765, he served as the United Kingdom Postmaster General. This job involved overseeing the postal service in Britain. In 1763, he also became a member of the Privy Council, which is a group of important advisors to the King.
- He was also the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster twice. This role involved managing land and property owned by the British Crown. He held this job from 1771 to 1782, and again from 1783 to 1786.
- In 1776, he received an even higher title: Earl of Clarendon. This earldom (the title of an Earl) had existed before but had ended. It was brought back just for him.
- In 1782, he was also made a Baron in Prussia, another country. He was allowed to use this title in Great Britain too.
- His final political job was again as Postmaster-General in 1786, just before he passed away.
Lord Clarendon died in December 1786 when he was 77 years old. His oldest son, Thomas, took over his title as Earl.
His Family Life
On March 30, 1752, Thomas Villiers married Charlotte Capell. She was the daughter of William Capell, 3rd Earl of Essex.
Thomas and Charlotte had four children:
- Thomas Villiers, 2nd Earl of Clarendon (born 1753 – died 1824)
- John Villiers, 3rd Earl of Clarendon (born 1757 – died 1838)
- George Villiers (born 1759 – died 1827). He was the father of George Villiers, 4th Earl of Clarendon.
- Lady Charlotte Barbara Villiers (born 1761 – died 1810)
Thomas Villiers bought a large country house called The Grove near Watford, Hertfordshire. He had it changed and updated to be his family home.
