George Cholmondeley, 2nd Earl Of Cholmondeley

George Cholmondeley, 2nd Earl of Cholmondeley, PC, FRS (1666 – 7 May 1733), was an English military officer and peer. He was born in 1666 as the second son of Robert Cholmondeley, 1st Viscount Cholmondeley, and Elizabeth Cradock. His elder brother was Hugh Cholmondeley, who became the 1st Earl of Cholmondeley.

He was educated at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford. During the political upheavals surrounding the Glorious Revolution, Cholmondeley supported William of Orange and Mary to succeed James II as monarchs of England. Following their accession, he was appointed a Groom of the Bedchamber.

In military service, Cholmondeley commanded the Horse Grenadier Guards at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Two years later, he fought at the Battle of Steenkerque. His military career advanced gradually, with promotions including Brigadier-General in 1697, Major-General in 1702, Lieutenant-General in 1704, and General in 1727.

From 1690 to 1695, Cholmondeley served as a Member of Parliament for Newton in the House of Commons. He was admitted to the Privy Council in 1706.

He received several noble titles during his lifetime. In 1715, he was created the Irish peer as Baron Newborough, of Newborough in County Wexford. The following year, he was granted a peerage in Great Britain as Baron Newburgh, of Newburgh in County Anglesea. In 1725, he succeeded his elder brother as the 2nd Earl of Cholmondeley.

As a peer, he held multiple lord-lieutenant positions until his death, including in Cheshire, Anglesey, Caernarvonshire, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Merionetshire, and Montgomeryshire.

His family life included his marriage to Anna Elizabeth van Ruytenburgh circa 1701. Anna was born around 1672 and died in London on 16 January 1722. She was the daughter of Aelbert Heer van Ruytenburgh (1630–1688) and Wilhelmina Anna van Nassau (1638–1688). The couple had six children: three sons and three daughters.

George Cholmondeley died in May 1733, succeeded in his titles by his eldest son, George.

References for his life include the Dictionary of National Biography, Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage, and Darryl Lundy's Peerage pages.