Philip Yorke, 3rd Earl of Hardwicke


Philip Yorke, 3rd Earl of Hardwicke, KG, PC, FRS, known as Philip Yorke until 1790, was a British politician.

Background and education

Born in Cambridge, England, he was the eldest son of Charles Yorke, Lord Chancellor, by his first wife, Catherine Freman. He was educated at Harrow and Queens' College, Cambridge.
In 1790 he succeeded his uncle Philip Yorke, 2nd Earl of Hardwicke to his earldom and estates, including Wimpole Hall.

Political career

Hardwicke was Member of Parliament for Cambridgeshire from 1780 to 1790, following the Whig traditions of his family, but after his succession to the earldom in 1790 he supported William Pitt The Younger, and took office in 1801 as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, where he supported Catholic emancipation. He was sworn of the Privy Council in 1801, created a Knight of the Garter in 1803, and was a fellow of the Royal Society.

Family

Lord Hardwicke married Lady Elizabeth, daughter of James Lindsay, 5th Earl of Balcarres, in 1782. They had four sons and four daughters.
Of the sons:
Of the daughters:
Lord Hardwicke died on 17 Oct 1834, aged 77, and was buried St Andrew's Church in Wimpole, Cambridgeshire in a tomb by Richard Westmacott. As he had no surviving male issue, he was succeeded in the earldom by his nephew, Charles. Lady Hardwicke died on 26 May 1858, aged 94.