Quick Facts
Biography
Henry Herbert, 1st Earl of Carnarvon PC (20 August 1741 – 3 June 1811), known as The Lord Porchester from 1780 to 1793, was a British nobleman and Whig politician. He served as Master of the Horse from 1806 to 1807 in the Ministry of All the Talents headed by Lord Grenville.
Background and education
Herbert was the son of Major-General the Honourable William Herbert (c. 1696 – 31 March 1757), fifth son of Thomas Herbert, 8th Earl of Pembroke. His mother was Catherine Elizabeth Tewes (d. 28 August 1770). Educated at Eton and Magdalene College, Cambridge, he inherited Highclere Castle from his uncle the Honourable Robert Sawyer Herbert in 1769.
Political career
Herbert sat in the House of Commons as one of two representatives for Wilton from 1768 to 1780. The latter year he was raised to the peerage as Baron Porchester, of Highclere in the County of Southampton. In 1793 he was further honoured when he was made Earl of the Town and County of Carnarvon, in the Principality of Wales. He later served as Master of the Horse from 1806 to 1807 in the Ministry of All the Talents headed by Lord Grenville and was admitted to the Privy Council in 1806.
Family
Lord Carnarvon married Lady Elizabeth Alicia Maria Wyndham, daughter of Charles Wyndham, 2nd Earl of Egremont, on 15 July 1771. They had five sons and one daughter:
- Henry George Herbert, 2nd Earl of Carnarvon (1772–1833).
- Capt. Hon. Charles Herbert (1774–1808).
- Very Rev. Hon. William Herbert (1778–1847).
- Lady Frances Herbert (c. 1782–1830), married Thomas Moreton, 1st Earl of Ducie and had issue.
- Rev. Hon. George Herbert (1789–1825), vicar of Tibenham, Norfolk.
- Hon. Algernon Herbert (1792–1855), antiquary.
Carnarvon died in June 1811, aged 69, and was succeeded in the earldom by his eldest son, Henry. Lady Carnarvon died in 1826.