The Walpole family became lords of Houghton manor in 1307, and owned the estate until 1797, when it passed to the Cholmondeley family. The member of the family featured prinicipally in the collection is Sir Robert Walpole (1676-1745), 1st Earl of Orford. Walpole was educated at Eton College and King's College, Cambridge. He entered parliament in 1707, and served as chancellor of the exchequer and first lord of the treasury, 1715-1717. After a spell out of office, he rejoined the government as paymaster of the forces in 1720, and then first lord of the treasury, 1721-1742. The resignations of his rivals, Carteret (1724) and Townshend (1730), allowed Walpole to exercise authority close to that of a modern prime minister. He was made Knight of the Garter in 1726, and in 1742 was created 1st Earl of Orford. He was responsible for building the present house at Houghton.
From the guide to the Cholmondeley (Houghton) Papers, 1316-1866, (Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives)
