Historian, politician, 5th Earl Stanhope. He is also known by the title Lord Mahon. He studied at Christ Church, Oxford, graduating in 1827 and going into politics in 1830 as Member of Parliament for Wootton Bassett. He went on to represent Hertford and was Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and later Secretary of the Board of Control. He used his time in parliament to influence many projects that benefited the arts. He played a part in the passing of the Literary Copyright Act in 1842, was a trustee of the British Museum, the main founder of the National Portrait Gallery, set up the Historical Manuscripts Commission, and was president of the Society of Antiquaries and founder of Oxford's Stanhope Essay Prize. He achieved his greatest fame as an Historian, however, publishing many books, including "Life of Belisarius" (1829), "History of the War of Succession in Spain" (1832), "History of England from the Peace of Utrecht to the Peace of Versailles (1836 and 1853) and "Notes of Conversation with the Duke of Wellington, 1831 to 1851" (1886). His best known work was his "Life of William Pitt" (1861 and 1862), which made extensive use of contemporary manuscripts and is considered one of the definitive studies of Pitt. He succeeded to the Earldom in 1855 and became president of the Royal Literary Fund in 1863, a post he held until his death.
Historian, politician, 5th Earl Stanhope. He is also known by the title Lord Mahon. He studied at Christ Church, Oxford, graduating in 1827 and going into politics in 1830 as Member of Parliament for Wootton Bassett. He went on to represent Hertford and was Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and later Secretary of the Board of Control. He used his time in parliament to influence many projects that benefited the arts. He played a part in the passing of the Literary Copyright Act in 1842, was a trustee of the British Museum, the main founder of the National Portrait Gallery, set up the Historical Manuscripts Commission, and was president of the Society of Antiquaries and founder of Oxford's Stanhope Essay Prize. He achieved his greatest fame as an Historian, however, publishing many books, including "Life of Belisarius" (1829), "History of the War of Succession in Spain" (1832), "History of England from the Peace of Utrecht to the Peace of Versailles (1836 and 1853) and "Notes of Conversation with the Duke of Wellington, 1831 to 1851" (1886). His best known work was his "Life of William Pitt" (1861 and 1862), which made extensive use of contemporary manuscripts and is considered one of the definitive studies of Pitt. He succeeded to the Earldom in 1855 and became president of the Royal Literary Fund in 1863, a post he held until his death.
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