Family and Education

b. 10 Oct. 1767, o.s. of Robert, 4th Earl of Harborough, by 2nd w. Jane, da. of William Reeve of Melton Mowbray. educ. Harrow 1780; Clare, Camb. 1786. m. 4 July 1791, Eleanor, da. and coh. of Col. the Hon. John Monckton of Fineshade Abbey, Northants. 1s. 6da. suc. fa. as 5th Earl of Harborough 21 Apr. 1799.

Offices Held

Biography

Sherard was the choice of Lords Exeter and Gainsborough to fill the vacancy for Rutland caused by John Heathcote’s death in 1795. His father, who had a subsidiary interest in the county, replied frankly to Sir Gilbert Heathcote, who aspired to the seat, 31 July: ‘Your official situation prohibits you from being a candidate ... and as some of Lord Sherard’s friends have proposed to me to nominate him to fill up the vacancy may I hope for your concurrence?’ Returned unopposed, he behaved like a locum tenens, making way at the dissolution for Sir William Lowther, with his father’s agreement, on the same interest. He had made no mark in Parliament and the Treasury in their pre-election forecast had doubts about him. He was not active as a peer either. He died 10 Dec. 1807.

Lincs. AO, Ancaster mss 3 Anc. 9/4/14; PRO 30/8/153, f. 160.

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Author: R. G. Thorne

Notes