Biography

Philip Yorke (1720-90), 2nd Earl of Hardwicke, was born on 9 December 1720. In 1737 he matriculated at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, from which he received the degree of LLD in 1749. In 1741 Yorke was elected to the House of Commons for Reigate, Surrey, which he continued to represent until 1747. In 1754 Yorke became Lord Royston when his father was created earl of Hardwicke. He was sworn of the privy council on the accession of George III, and he took his seat in the House of Lords as the earl of Hardwicke upon his father's death in 1764. He also served as lord lieutenant of Cambridgeshire from 1757 and as high steward of the University of Cambridge from 1764 until his death. In 1741 he was elected fellow of the Royal Society and in 1744 fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. Hardwicke died on 16 May 1790, at his house in St James's Square, London.

Found in 1 Collection or Record: