Francis Seymour-Conway, 1st Marquess of Hertford

Francis-Seymour Conway, 1st Marquess of Hertford (July 5, 1718 – June 14, 1794) was born in Chelsea, England, and died in Surrey, England.

Related Topics:
July 5 - 1718 - June 14 - 1794

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Francis-Seymour's father died when he was young, and the first few years after his father's death were spent in Italy and Paris. On his return to England he took his seat, as 2nd Baron Conway, among the Peers in November 1739. On the 29th of May 1741 he married Lady Isabella Fitzroy, daughter of the Duke of Grafton, and they became the parents of thirteen children.

Related Topics:
Italy - Paris - Duke of Grafton

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In August 1750 he was created Viscount Beauchamp and Earl of Hertford. In 1755, according to Walpole, "The Earl of Hertford, a man of unblemished morals, but rather too gentle and cautious, to combat so presumptuous a court, was named Ambassador to Paris." However, due to the demands of the French, the journey was suspended.

Related Topics:
Viscount Beauchamp - Earl of Hertford

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From 1751 to 1766 he was Lord of the Bedchamber to George II and George III. In 1756 he was made a Knight of the Garter and, in 1757, Lord-Lieutenant and Guardian of the Rolls of the County of Warwick and City of Coventry.

Related Topics:
Lord of the Bedchamber - George II - George III - Knight of the Garter - Lord-Lieutenant - Coventry

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In 1763 he became Privy Councillor and, from October 1763 to June 1765, was a successful ambassador in Paris. In the autumn of 1765 he became Viceroy of Ireland where, as an honest and religious man, he was well-liked.

Related Topics:
Privy Councillor - Viceroy of Ireland

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An anonymous satirist in 1777 described him as "the worst man in His Majesty's dominions", and also emphasised Hertford's greed and selfishness, adding "I cannot find any term for him but avaricious." However, this anonymous attack does not seem to be justified.

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In 1782 when she was only fifty-six, his wife died after having nursed their grandson at Ditton where she caught a violent cold. According to Walpole, "Lord Hertford's loss is beyond measure. She was not only the most affectionate wife, but the most useful one, and almost the only person I ever saw that never neglected or put off or forgot anything that was to be done. She was always proper, either in the highest life or in the most domestic."

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In July 1793 he was created Earl of Yarmouth and Marquess of Hertford. He enjoyed this elevation for almost a year until his death at the age of seventy-six, on 14 July 1794, at the house of his daughter, the Countess of Lincoln. He died as the result of an infection following a minor injury he received while riding. He was buried at Arrow, in Warwickshire.

Related Topics:
Earl of Yarmouth - Countess of Lincoln - Arrow - Warwickshire

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