Thomas Howard, 3rd Earl of Effingham

Thomas Howard
Earl of Effingham
Spouse(s) Catherine Proctor

Issue

none
Noble family House of Howard-Effingham
Father Thomas Howard, 2nd Earl of Effingham
Mother Elizabeth Beckford
Born 1746
Died 19 November 1791

Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Howard, 3rd Earl of Effingham PC (13. January 1746 – 19 November 1791), styled Lord Howard until 1763, was a British nobleman and Army officer, the son of Thomas Howard, 2nd Earl of Effingham.

He is best known for resigning his commission in protest against the war against the American colonies.[1][2] This widely reported act was commemorated by the American colonists in the naming of a galley in 1775, and later the frigate USS Effingham in 1777 - as well as in the naming of Effingham, New Hampshire, Effingham County, Georgia and Effingham County, Illinois.

He died at the age of 45, while serving as Governor of Jamaica, a month and five days after his wife, leaving no heir. His title passed to his brother Richard.

During the events leading up to the American Revolution, the Earl was neither a Patriot or a Loyalist, he was a Neutralist; he was not on either side. The Earl of Effingham disliked both sides: the royal government for taxing, and the colonists for rebelling. Howard believed that the conflicts had a negative impact on Great Britain and the colonies. He was devoted to his King and country, and was willing to lose his life while protecting the realm from attack.

References

Government offices
Preceded by
Alured Clarke
Governor of Jamaica
1790–1791
Succeeded by
Adam Williamson
Political offices
Preceded by
The Earl of Scarbrough
Deputy Earl Marshal
1777–1782
Succeeded by
Earl of Surrey
Preceded by
Viscount Cranborne
Treasurer of the Household
1782–1783
Succeeded by
Charles Francis Greville
Preceded by
Hon. Charles Cadogan
Master of the Mint
1784–1789
Succeeded by
The Earl of Chesterfield
Peerage of England
Preceded by
Thomas Howard
Earl of Effingham
1763–1791
Succeeded by
Richard Howard

External links