Philip Yorke, 3rd Earl of Hardwicke

Philip Yorke, 3rd Earl of Hardwicke KG, PC, FRS (31 May 1757 – 18 November 1834), known as Philip Yorke until 1790, was a British politician.

Background and education

Born in Cambridge, England, he was the eldest son of Charles Yorke, Lord Chancellor, by his first wife, Catherine Freman. He was educated at Harrow and Queens' College, Cambridge.

Political career

Hardwicke was Member of Parliament for Cambridgeshire from 1780 to 1790, following the Whig traditions of his family, but after his succession to the earldom in 1790 he supported William Pitt The Younger, and took office in 1801 as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1801–1806), where he supported Catholic emancipation. He was sworn of the Privy Council in 1801, created a Knight of the Garter in 1803, and was a fellow of the Royal Society.

Family

Lord Hardwicke married Lady Elizabeth, daughter of James Lindsay, 5th Earl of Balcarres, in 1782. They had two sons and four daughters. His elder son, Philip Yorke, Viscount Royston, was Member of Parliament for Reigate but was lost at sea off Lübeck in 1808. His younger son, Charles James Yorke, Viscount Royston (1797–1810), died as a child. Lord Hardwicke died in November 1834, aged 77, and was buried St Andrew's Church in Wimpole, Cambridgeshire in a tomb by Richard Westmacott (the younger). As he had no surviving male issue he was succeeded in the earldom by his nephew, Charles. Lady Hardwicke died in May 1858, aged 94.