Chesterfield, Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of, 1694-1773
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British statesman, diplomat, and wit.
From the description of Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield letters : London and The Hague, 1730-1759. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702148264
From the description of Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield letters : London and The Hague, 1730-1759. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 82154307
Brief Biographical Sketch
Born into the English aristocracy, the 4th Earl of Chesterfield had the family connections and wealth to live, in the words of the Dictionary of National Biography, as "politician, wit, and letter-writer." Upon the death of Queen Anne in 1714, his family connections enabled him to leave his life of travel and leisure to take up at the age of 20 what was the beginning of a fluctuating political career.
Chesterfield was influential in government circles but the role of opposition was more suited to his temperament. He produced a number of effective political satires against his opponents and also displayed gifts of oratory in the House of Lords. The major fact of his political career was his opposition to Robert Walpole whom he helped to force out in 1742.
Chesterfield's ill health and recurring political misfortunes affected his official career. George II, whose favorite he was for a time, secured him the ambassadorship to The Hague in 1728. There he met Mlle du Bouchet by whom he became the father of an illegitimate son Philip whose education became one of his main concerns. Ill health forced him to leave this post in 1732. In 1733 he arranged a marriage with Petronilla Melusina von der Schulenburg, a union of financial convenience.
As the result of a new political coalition in 1744 Chesterfield became Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. The next year he was sent on special mission to The Hague to induce the Dutch to join in the War of the Austrian Succession. Better relations with the King lead to Chesterfield's appointment as Secretary of State for the North in 1746. His resignation two years later after political differences with the Duke of Newcastle ended his official career. Although he retained some influence in politics, he spent most of his time pursuing his own interests--building a house, directing the education of his natural son, and reading. He died in March, 1773.
Chesterfield is best known for his "Letters written... to his son", a correspondence, including elaborate essays, which he continued until his son's death.
From the guide to the Diplomatic Papers of Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, 1720-1748, (The Bancroft Library)
Philip Dormer Stanhope was born in London on 22 September 1694. Stanhope was educated at home by private tutors and at the age of eighteen he went to Trinity Hall, Cambridge. After spending two years at university, Stanhope left England to visit Antwerp, The Hague and Paris. Later he was appointed Gentleman of the Bedchamber to the Prince of Wales and entered the House of Commons as a Whig member for St. Germans, Cornwall. He was again elected to the Commons in 1722 as the member for Lostwithiel. On the death of his father in January 1726, Stanhope became the Fourth Earl of Chesterfield. In 1727, Chesterfield was appointed Ambassador to the Dutch Republic. As ambassador, Chesterfield negotiated Britain's way into the Treaty of Vienna in 1731. For his services, Chesterfield was appointed Lord Steward of the King's Household and made a knight of the garter in 1730. In the House of Lords Chesterfield spoke out against Walpole's administration. He also voiced his opposition by writing essays for opposition periodicals such as Fogs Journal and Common Sense . Chesterfield was appointed to the office of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, a post he held for eight months between 1745-1746. He left Ireland on 23 April 1746 to become the Secretary of State for the Northern Department on 29 October 1746. Chesterfield resigned his secretaryship in February 1748. On retiring Chesterfield spent much time and money building Chesterfield House in South Audley Street, Mayfair, London. Although Chesterfield made his last speech in the House of Lords in 1755 he continued to offer his skills as a negotiator to the king. He died at Chesterfield House on 24 March 1773.
From the guide to the Stanhope, Philip Dormer, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, 1746, (Senate House Library, University of London)
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