Biography of Earl of Chesterfield


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Chesterfield (tshes'-ter-feeld), Philip-Dormer Stanhope, Earl of. Was born in 1694. Educated at Cambridge. He represented St. Germans in the House of Commons, and in 1726 succeeded to the earldom. Chesterfield was distinguished at the court of George II, and was sent as ambassador extraordinary to Holland in 1728. He was made a knight of the garter in 1730, and received the appointment of lord steward of the household. Chesterfield was found among the opponents of Sir Robert Walpole. In 1745 he was appointed lord-lieutenant of Ireland, and afterwards became secretary of state. He is now better known by his "Advice to His Son," than by his public services. Died 1773.