Edward Hyde, 3rd Earl of Clarendon

Edward Hyde, 3rd Earl of Clarendon, also known by the courtesy title of Lord Cornbury (November 28, 1661 - March 31, 1723) was Governor of New York and New Jersey and perhaps best known for the claims of him being a transvestite while in office.

Related Topics:
Courtesy title - November 28 - 1661 - March 31 - 1723 - Transvestite

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Born to Henry Hyde (1638-1709) and his wife Theodosia Capell (bp. 1640-1662), he matriculated at Oxford January 23, 1674/5 and entered the Royal Regiment of Dragoons, became a Tory Member of Parliament for Wiltshire from 1685-1687 and 1689-96 and for Christchurch 1695-1701. He was Master of the Horse to Prince George of Denmark, and a Page of Honour to King James II at his Coronation. He was one of the first commanders to desert the king in 1688, taking with him as many troops as he could.

Related Topics:
Matriculated - Oxford - January 23 - 1674/5 - Tory - Member of Parliament - Page of Honour - James II

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He became Governor of New York and New Jersey from 1701 to 1708, in which position he earned a very foul repute. It is said that his character and conduct were equally abhorred in both hemispheres. He was imprisoned for debt at the time of his father's death. He was Envoy Extraordinary to Hannover in 1714. On July 10, 1688, in a clandestine ceremony, he married Catherine, daughter of Henry O'Brien (styled Lord O'Brien) and his wife Catherine, in her own right Baroness Clifton of Leighton Bromswold. His wife, who on her mother's death in 1702 became Baroness Clifton of Leighton Bromswold, died in New York August 11, 1706 and is buried at Trinity Church, New York.

Related Topics:
Governor of New York - New Jersey - July 10 - 1688 - August 11 - 1706 - Trinity Church, New York

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Lord Cornbury died at Chelsea, in obscurity and debt, and was buried April 5, 1723 in Westminster Abbey. By his daughter Theodosia, who married John Bligh, 1st Earl of Darnley, he is ancestor of many alive today, including actor Cary Elwes.

Related Topics:
Chelsea - April 5 - 1723 - Westminster Abbey - John Bligh, 1st Earl of Darnley - Cary Elwes

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