George William Hervey, 2nd Earl of Bristol (3 August 1721 – 18/20 March 1775) was an English diplomat and politician who was the eldest son of John Hervey, 2nd Baron Hervey, by his marriage with Mary Hervey.

[1] Lord Bristol served for some years in the British Army, and in 1755 was sent to Turin as envoy extraordinary.

He was ambassador at Madrid from 1758 to 1761, filling a difficult position with credit and dignity, and ranked among the followers of William Pitt the Elder.

[1] Appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1766, he never visited that country during his short tenure of this office, and, after having served for a short time as keeper of the Privy Seal, became Groom of the Stool to George III in January 1770.

He died unmarried, despite a youthful flirtation with the Lady Townshend,[2] and was succeeded by his brother.