Horatio Walpole, 2nd Earl of Orford

Horatio Walpole, 2nd Earl of Orford (13 or 24 June 1752 – 15 June 1822), styled The Honourable Horatio Walpole between 1757 and 1806 and Lord Walpole between 1806 and 1809, was a British peer and politician.

The Right Honourable The Earl of Orford
Member of the Great Britain Parliament for Wigan
In office 1780–1784 Serving with Henry Simpson Bridgeman 1780–1782 John Cotes 1782–1784
Preceded by	George Byng Henry Simpson Bridgeman
Succeeded by	John Cotes Orlando Bridgeman
Member of the Great Britain Parliament for King's Lynn
In office 1784–1800 Serving with Crisp Molineux 1784–1790 Sir Martin ffolkes, Bt 1790–1801
Preceded by	Hon. Thomas Walpole Crisp Molineux
Succeeded by	Parliament of the United Kingdom
Member of Parliament for King's Lynn
In office 1801–1809 Serving with Sir Martin ffolkes, Bt
Preceded by	Parliament of Great Britain
Succeeded by	Sir Martin ffolkes, Bt Lord Walpole
Personal details
Born	13 or 24 June 1752
Died	(1822-06-15)15 June 1822
Spouses	Sophia Churchill Catherine Tunstall
Children	Horatio Walpole, 3rd Earl of Orford, Catharine Long
Parents	Horatio Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford Lady Rachel Cavendish

Background

Orford was the son of Horatio Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford, son of Horatio Walpole, 1st Baron Walpole (of Wolterton), brother of Prime Minister Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford. His mother was Lady Rachel Cavendish, daughter of William Cavendish, 3rd Duke of Devonshire. He gained the courtesy title Lord Walpole when the earldom of Orford was revived in favour of his father in 1806.^[1]

Political career

Orford was elected Member of Parliament for Wigan in 1780, a seat he held until 1784,^[2] and then represented King's Lynn between 1784 and 1809.^[3] The latter year he succeeded his father in the earldom and entered the House of Lords.

During the American War of Independence his kinsman George Walpole, 3rd Earl of Orford (of the first creation), as Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, appointed him Lieutenant-Colonel of the East Norfolk Militia.^[4] After the earl died, Horatio was promoted to succeed him as Colonel of the West Norfolk Militia.^[5] On his own death in 1822, he was succeeded in command by his son Horatio Walpole, 3rd Earl of Orford.^[6]

Family

Lord Orford was twice married. He married firstly Sophia, daughter of Charles Churchill and granddaughter of Robert Walpole, in 1781. After her death in 1797, he married secondly Catherine, daughter of Reverend James Tunstall, in 1806. She died the following year. Lord Orford survived her by 15 years and died in June 1822. He was succeeded in the earldom by his son, Horatio.^[1]

References

1. Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic History of Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage. Burke's Peerage Limited. 1885. p. 1025. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
2. "leighrayment.com". Archived from the original on 10 August 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
3. "leighrayment.com". Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
4. Col Sir Charles Harvey, The History of the 4th Battalion Norfolk Regiment (late East Norfolk Militia), London: Jarrold, 1899, p. 253.
5. London Gazette, 1 May 1792.
6. Arthur Sleigh, The Royal Militia and Yeomanry Cavalry Army List, April 1850, London: British Army Despatch Press, 1850/Uckfield: Naval and Military Press, 1991, ISBN 978-1-84342-410-9, p. 81.

Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by George Byng Henry Simpson Bridgeman	Member of Parliament for Wigan 1780–1784 With: Henry Simpson Bridgeman 1780–1782 John Cotes 1782–1784	Succeeded by John Cotes Orlando Bridgeman
Preceded by Hon. Thomas Walpole Crisp Molineux	Member of Parliament for King's Lynn 1784–1800 With: Crisp Molineux 1784–1790 Sir Martin ffolkes, Bt 1790–1801	Succeeded by Parliament of the United Kingdom
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Parliament of Great Britain	Member of Parliament for King's Lynn 1801–1809 With: Sir Martin ffolkes, Bt	Succeeded by Sir Martin ffolkes, Bt Lord Walpole
Peerage of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Horatio Walpole	Earl of Orford 3rd creation 1809–1822	Succeeded by Horatio Walpole
Peerage of Great Britain
Preceded by Horatio Walpole	Baron Walpole of Walpole 1809–1822	Succeeded by Horatio Walpole
	Baron Walpole of Wolterton 1809–1822