Daniel Finch, 8th Earl of Winchilsea

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Daniel Finch, 8th Earl of Winchilsea, 3rd Earl of Nottingham, KG, PC (24 May 16892 August 1769) was a British politician. He was the eldest son of Daniel Finch, 2nd Earl of Nottingham and his second wife Anne Hatton, daughter of Christopher Hatton, 1st Viscount Hatton. His father was a prominent Tory politician who had been one of the few leading Tories to actively support the Hanoverian succession.

Winchilsea supported the creation of London's Foundling Hospital, a charity providing home and education for some of the capital's many abandoned children. Winchilsea was one of the original governors for this organisation, founded in 1739.

Although his father had been a supporter of Walpole, Winchilsea became instead a supporter of Lord Carteret in the so-called "Patriot Opposition". When Carteret became leading minister in 1742, Winchilsea joined as well, becoming First Lord of the Admiralty (1742–1744). Later on, he allied himself with Newcastle and the Old Whigs, and served as Lord President in the Rockingham administration (1765–1766).

He was first married to Lady Frances Feilding, daughter of Basil Feilding, 4th Earl of Denbigh and Hester Firebrace. He was secondly married to Mary Palmer, daughter of Sir Thomas Palmer, 1st Baronet Palmer. No known descendants. He was made a Knight of the Garter in 1752.

Political offices
Preceded by
Paul Methuen
Comptroller of the Household
1725–1730
Succeeded by
Sir Conyers Darcy
Preceded by
Sir Charles Wager
First Lord of the Admiralty
1742–1744
Succeeded by
The Duke of Bedford
Preceded by
The Earl Temple
First Lord of the Admiralty
1757
Succeeded by
The Lord Anson
Preceded by
The Duke of Bedford
Lord President of the Council
1765–1766
Succeeded by
The Earl of Northington
Peerage of England
Preceded by
Daniel Finch
Earl of Winchilsea
1730–1769
Succeeded by
George Finch
Earl of Nottingham
1730–1769