HARRINGTON

harrington, earls of. the first earl of harrington was the diplomatist and politician, william stanhope (c. 1690-1756), a younger son of john stanhope of elvaston, derbyshire, and a brother of charles stanhope (1673-1760), an active politician during the reign of george i. his ancestor, sir john stanhope (d. 1638), was a half-brother of philip stanhope, 1st earl of chesterfield. educated at eton, william stanhope entered the army and served in spain, but soon he turned his attention to more peaceful pursuits, went on a mission to madrid and represented his country at turin. when peace was made between england and spain in 1720 stanhope became british ambassador to the latter country, and he retained this position until march 1727, having built up his reputation as a diplomatist during a difficult period. in 1729 he had some part in arranging the treaty of seville between england, france and spain, and for his services in this matter he was created baron harrington in january 1730. later in the same year he was appointed secretary of state for the northern department under sir robert walpole, but, like george