Benjamin Mildmay, 1st Earl FitzWalter
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Mildmay, 1st Earl FitzWalter PC (27 December 1672–29 February 1756), styled The Honourable Benjamin Mildmay until 1728 and known as The Lord FitzWalter between 1728 and 1730, was a British politician. He served as First Lord of Trade between 1735 and 1737 and as Treasurer of the Household
between 1737 and 1755.
. In 1730 he created Viscount Harwich, in the County of Essex, and Earl FitzWalter. In 1735 he was sworn of the Privy Council and appointed First Lord of Trade under Sir Robert Walpole, a post he held until 1737, and then served as Treasurer of the Household
between 1736 and 1755. He was also Lord-Lieutenant of Essex from 1741 to 1756.
and widow of Robert Darcy, 3rd Earl of Holderness, in 1724. They had no children. She died in August 1751. Lord FitzWalter died in London
in February 1756, aged 83. The viscountcy and earldom died with him, while the barony fell into abeyance
.
Treasurer of the Household
The position of Treasurer of the Household is theoretically held by a household official of the British monarch, under control of the Lord Steward's Department, but is, in fact, a political office held by one of the government's Deputy Chief Whips in the House of Commons...
between 1737 and 1755.
Background
Mildmay was a younger son of Benjamin Mildmay, 17th Baron FitzWalter, by the Honourable Catherine, daughter of William Fairfax, 3rd Viscount Fairfax of Emley.Political career
Mildmay served as Commissioner of Excise between 1720 and 1728. The latter year he succeeded his elder brother in the barony of FitzWalter and took his seat in the House of LordsHouse of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
. In 1730 he created Viscount Harwich, in the County of Essex, and Earl FitzWalter. In 1735 he was sworn of the Privy Council and appointed First Lord of Trade under Sir Robert Walpole, a post he held until 1737, and then served as Treasurer of the Household
Treasurer of the Household
The position of Treasurer of the Household is theoretically held by a household official of the British monarch, under control of the Lord Steward's Department, but is, in fact, a political office held by one of the government's Deputy Chief Whips in the House of Commons...
between 1736 and 1755. He was also Lord-Lieutenant of Essex from 1741 to 1756.
Personal life
Lord FitzWalter married Lady Frederica Susanna, daughter of Meinhardt Schomberg, 3rd Duke of SchombergMeinhardt Schomberg, 3rd Duke of Schomberg
Meinhardt Schomberg, 3rd Duke of Schomberg, 1st Duke of Leinster, KG was a general in the service of Prince William of Orange, later King William III of England.-Military career:...
and widow of Robert Darcy, 3rd Earl of Holderness, in 1724. They had no children. She died in August 1751. Lord FitzWalter died in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in February 1756, aged 83. The viscountcy and earldom died with him, while the barony fell into abeyance
Abeyance
Abeyance is a state of expectancy in respect of property, titles or office, when the right to them is not vested in any one person, but awaits the appearance or determination of the true owner. In law, the term abeyance can only be applied to such future estates as have not yet vested or possibly...
.