Family and Education

b. 23 June 1800, 3rd but 2nd surv. s. of Richard Edgcumbe†, 2nd earl of Mount Edgcumbe (d. 1839), and Lady Sophia Hobart, da. of John Hobart†, 2nd earl of Buckinghamshire; bro. of Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Visct. Valletort.* educ. Harrow 1812; Balliol, Oxf. 1818. m. 19 May 1834, Fanny Lucy, da. of Sir John Shelley, 6th bt.,* 2s. 4da. (1 d.v.p.). d. 18 Feb. 1882.

Offices Held

Sec. of legation, Switzerland 1828-30, 1837-8, Tuscany 1831-7, Hanover 1838-58.

Maj. Cornw. militia 1826-55.

Biography

Edgcumbe was returned for Plympton Erle in 1826 on his father’s interest, presumably in the absence of a paying guest. His father observed that ‘George is extremely surprised and flattered with the honour, but I fear his diplomatic duties (to say nothing of his military) will interfere greatly with his parliamentary’.1 He took no recorded part in the House’s proceedings before vacating on 2 Dec. 1826, and he subsequently pursued his diplomatic career. Lady Granville described him as ‘very inoffensive ... not handsome ... not clever ... not useful, but there is nothing below mediocre, and he is very obliging and good-natured’; even his mother-in-law considered him to be an ‘excellent creature’.2 On his father’s death in 1839 he received £1,000 in addition to the £10,000 already settled on him at the time of his marriage.3 He died in February 1882; his eldest son, Richard Edgcumbe (1843-1937), was serjeant-at-arms, 1880-1921.

Ref Volumes: 1820-1832

Author: Terry Jenkins

Notes

• 1. Carew Pole mss, Mount Edgcumbe to Pole Carew, 21 June 1826.
• 2. Countess Granville Letters, i. 301; Shelley Diary, ii. 254.
• 3. The personalty was sworn under £30,000 (PROB 8/233; 11/1935/713).