Family and Education

b. 30 Jan. 1698, 3rd s. of George, 4th Earl of Northampton, by his 1st w. Jane, da. of Sir Stephen Fox of Farley, Wilts. and half-sis. of Henry Fox; bro. of Hon. George Compton. educ. Eton 1706-7; Ch. Ch. Oxf. 1714; Grand Tour (France, Italy) 1718-20. m. 14 Aug. 1727, Mary, da. and h. of Sir Berkeley Lucy, 3rd Bt., of Broxbourne, Herts., 5s. 5da.

Offices Held

Consul at lisbon 1727-42; envoy extraordinary 1742-5; paymaster of pensions 1745- d.

Biography

In 1734 Compton declined an invitation from his brother James, 5th Earl of Northampton, to return home and stand for Tamworth.1 In December 1754, when his brother George succeeded to the peerage, he was returned on the family interest at Northampton, although ‘so ill at the time of the election as not to be able to appear there’.2 His daughter Jane wrote to her husband G. B. Rodney, 30 Jan. 1755:3 ‘Papa came here last night at 12 from the House, seemed much tired. I wish he may not hurt himself by attending so constantly.’

Compton died 20 Nov. 1755.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: Sir Lewis Namier

Notes

• 1. Marquess of Northampton, Comptons of Compton Wynyates. 180.
• 2. Ld. Northampton to Wm. Cartwright, 4 May 1755, Cartwright mss. quoted by Forrester, Northants, County Elections, 80.
• 3. Rodney Pprs. PRO 30/20/20.