Family and Education

b. 1 Jan. 1797, 2nd s. of Henry Cecil^†, 1st Mq. of Exeter, by 2nd w. Sarah, da. of Thomas Hoggins, farmer, of the Old Rectory, Bolas Magna, Salop. educ. Eton; St. John’s, Camb. 1815. m. 8 Aug. 1838, Lady Sophia Lennox, da. of Charles Lennox*, 4th Duke of Richmond, s.p.

Offices Held

Cornet 10 Drag. 1817, lt. 1820; capt. 76 Ft 1822, 10 Drag. 1822, maj. 1827, lt.-col. 1833, half-pay 1838, col. 1846.

Biography

Cecil’s mother, ‘the cottage countess’, died soon after his birth and his father when he was seven: during his elder brother Brownlow’s long minority, the family’s parliamentary interest at Stamford was challenged. In 1816, however, the 2nd Marquess came of age and took up the recordership of the borough: consequently there was only a feeble opposition when he put up his brother at the election of 1818. Cecil gave a silent support to government, taking three weeks’ leave of absence for private business on 15 Mar., but voting with them against Tierney’s censure motion, 18 May 1819. He died 29 Nov. 1873.

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Author: R. G. Thorne

Notes