Philip Sherard, 5th Earl of Harborough
Philip Sherard, 5th Earl of Harborough, styled Lord Sherard from 1770 to 1799, was a British peer and politician.Early life
Sherard was the eldest son of Robert Sherard, 4th Earl of Harborough and his wife Jane Reeve. He was educated at Harrow School in 1780 and Clare College, Cambridge in 1786.Career
Upon the death of John Heathcote in 1795, Lord Sherard was chosen by the Earls of Exeter and Gainsborough as a suitable representative for Rutland. Sherard's father had a minor electoral interest in Rutland, and Sir Gilbert Heathcote, 4th Baronet, who was also interested in the position, was in any case debarred that year by being High Sheriff of Rutland. Sherard was not active in Parliament and stood down at the 1796 British general election; Heathcote took a seat at Lincolnshire, while Sir William Lowther stood together with Edwardes. On 26 February 1797, he was appointed a deputy lieutenant of Leicestershire.
Philip became Earl of Harborough in 1799 in succession to his father, but was no more conspicuous in the Lords than he had been in the Commons.Personal life
On 4 July 1791, Sherard married Eleanor Monckton, daughter of Col. Hon. John Monckton of Fineshade Abbey and granddaughter of John Monckton, 1st Viscount Galway. They had one son and six daughters, including:
- Lady Lucy Eleanor Sherard, who married Henry Lowther in 1817.
- Lady Anna Maria Sherard, who married William Cuffe in 1818.
- Lady Sophia Sherard, who married Sir Thomas Whichcote, 6th Baronet in 1812 and subsequently William Evans-Freke, 8th Baron Carbery in 1840.
- Robert Sherard, 6th Earl of Harborough
- Lady Jane Sherard
- Lady Charlotte Sherard, who became insane in 1825.
- Lady Susan Sherard, who married General John Reeve, of Leadenham House, in 1821.
He died in 1807 and was succeeded by his son Robert.
