[1] Verulam had previously represented St Albans (Roman Verulamium) in the House of Commons.

Grimston was a Tory politician and held minor office in the first two governments of the Earl of Derby.

His grandson, the sixth Earl (who succeeded his elder brother) was nominated to the traditionally safe seat of St Albans for the party.

[2] Born William Luckyn, he was the great-nephew of Sir Samuel Grimston, 3rd Baronet, of Bradfield (a title which became extinct upon his death in 1700), whose surname he assumed on succeeding to his estates.

In 1790 he was created Baron Verulam, of Gorhambury in the County of Hertford, in the Peerage of Great Britain.

Lord Verulam thus holds titles in England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom.