Earl Stanhope

The earldom was created in 1718 for Major General James Stanhope,[2] a principal minister of King George I, with remainder to the heirs male of his body.

He represented several constituencies in the House of Commons but is chiefly remembered for his involvement in the Kaspar Hauser case.

He served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and also published a biography on William Pitt the Younger.

However, he never applied for a writ of summons to the House of Lords in these titles and continued to be known as the Earl Stanhope.

The heir apparent is the present holder's son, William Henry Leicester Stanhope, Viscount Petersham (born 1967).

The coat of arms of James Stanhope, 7th Earl Stanhope , the final holder of the title, who died in 1967.
James Stanhope, 1st Earl Stanhope , from a portrait by Denner at Chevening .
Stanhope Chapel at St Botolph's Parish Church, Chevening, Kent