Herbert was born at Number 26, Bruton Street, Mayfair, London, and baptised at St George's, Hanover Square.

[3] After gaining of his first degree, he was employed as a civil servant in the administrative branch of the General Post Office (the GPO) in London, but resigned after succeeding to his peerage.

[8] In 1898 he was made Honorary Colonel of the 4th (Royal Montgomeryshire Militia) Battalion, South Wales Borderers.

[14] He was succeeded in the earldom by his first cousin's edest son, Edward Robert Henry Herbert.

The very high inheritance taxes which prevailed in the United Kingdom in the post-war years may have influenced his decision.