Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, 2nd Earl Talbot
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Charles Chetwynd Chetwynd-Talbot, 2nd Earl Talbot, KG, PC (25 April 1777 – 10 January 1849) was a British peer.
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[edit] Early life and family
Born Charles Talbot, he was the eldest son of Hon. John Talbot and his wife, Charlotte, a daughter of Wills Hill, 1st Marquess of Downshire. When Talbot's father was created Earl Talbot and Viscount Ingestre in 1784, Talbot assumed the latter as a courtesy title. His father also added Chetwynd to the family name in 1786.
Ingestre inherited his father's earldom in 1793, matriculated from Christ Church, Oxford in 1794 and graduated as a Master of Arts in 1797. After leaving Oxford, Lord Talbot joined the British embassy in Russia under Lord Whitworth, forming a lasting friendship with his boss. Returning to England in 1800, he married Frances Thomasine Lambart (died 1819) that year and they had eleven surviving children:
- Lady Frances Charlotte (1801-1823), married William Legge, 4th Earl of Dartmouth
- Hon. Charles Thomas, styled Viscount Ingestre (1802-1826)
- Hon. Henry John, later styled Viscount Ingestre, later 3rd Earl Talbot and 18th Earl of Shrewsbury.
- Hon. Arthur (1805-1884), clergyman.
- Hon. John (1806-1832), judge.
- Lady Cecil Chetwynd (1808-1877), married John Kerr, 7th Marquess of Lothian.
- Hon. (George) Gustavus (1810-1896), clergyman.
- Hon. William Whitworth (1814-1888), clergyman.
- Hon. Gilbert Chetwynd (1816-1896), clergyman.
- Hon. Wellington Patrick Manvers (1817-1898), soldier.
- Hon. Gerald (1819-1885)
In 1803, Lord Talbot organised a volunteer force in Staffordshire to oppose a planned invasion by Napoleon. In 1812, he was appointed Lord Lieutenant of that county, an office he held until his death.
[edit] Ireland
In 1812, Talbot was also appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and admitted to the Privy Council. In recognition of his rendering services to the agriculture of Ireland, he was awarded the Freedom of Drogheda and during George IV's visit to the country in 1821, he was appointed a Knight of St Patrick.
Although an opponent of Catholic emancipation, Daniel O'Connell gave Talbot credit for his impartiality and Lord Cloncurry called him 'an honourable, high-minded gentleman'. However, the growing discontent in Ireland under Talbot's administration, forced the Prime Minister, Lord Liverpool, to have him replaced with Lord Wellesley in December 1821.
[edit] Later life
In 1833, Lord Talbot was encouraged to stand for the chancellorship of Oxford University, but withdrew in deference to the Duke of Wellington.
In 1839, in recognition of his services as Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Talbot received a testimonial of £1400, which he used to endow a new church at Salt in Staffordshire. A supporter of Robert Peel, he resigned as a Knight of St Patrick in place of being appointed a Knight of the Garter in 1844, on Peel's recommendation. Lord Talbot subsequently supported the repeal of the Corn Laws, being one of the first peers to do so.
On Talbot's death at his home, Ingestre Hall in 1849, his titles passed to his eldest surviving son, Henry, who later also inherited the earldom of Shrewsbury from his distant cousin.
[edit] Sources
- E. I. Carlyle, revised by H. C. G. Matthew. Talbot, Charles Chetwynd-, second Earl Talbot of Hensol (1777–1849), politician. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
- Cokayne et al, The Complete Peerage
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by The Earl Whitworth |
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 1817–1821 |
Succeeded by The Marquess Wellesley |
| Honorary titles | ||
| Preceded by The Earl of Uxbridge |
Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire 1812–1849 |
Succeeded by The Marquess of Anglesey |
| Preceded by The Marquess of Stafford |
Custos Rotulorum of Staffordshire 1828–1849 |
|
| Peerage of Great Britain | ||
| Preceded by John Chetwynd-Talbot |
Earl Talbot 1793–1849 |
Succeeded by Henry Chetwynd-Talbot |
