John Eliot, 1st Earl Of St Germans

John Eliot, 1st Earl of St Germans (30 September 1761 – 17 November 1823), was a British politician who held various parliamentary and aristocratic titles during his lifetime.

Birth and Family Background:

Eliot was born at Port Eliot in Cornwall. He was the third son of Edward Craggs-Eliot, 1st Baron Eliot, and his wife Catherine Elliston. He was the second surviving son in the family.

Education:

He attended Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he earned a Master of Arts degree in 1784.

Political Career:

Eliot served as a Member of Parliament for St Germans from 1780 to 1783. Subsequently, he represented Liskeard from 1784 until 1804. During this period, he also held the office of His Majesty's Remembrancer in the Court of the Exchequer.

Noble Titles and Succession:

On 17 February 1804, Eliot succeeded his father as the second Baron Eliot. In 1808, he was appointed Colonel of the East Cornwall Militia, and in 1810, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant.

In recognition of his status, Eliot was created Earl of Saint Germans in the County of Cornwall on 28 November 1815. This peerage included a special remainder directed to his brother William Eliot and his heirs male. He took his seat in the House of Lords in February 1816.

Military Involvement:

Apart from his political roles, Eliot held military positions, including Colonel of the East Cornwall Militia in 1808 and Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant in 1810.

Family:

Eliot married twice, but he had no children from either marriage.

First Marriage:

He married Caroline Yorke on 9 September 1790 at St James Church, Westminster. Caroline was born on 29 August 1765 and died on 26 July 1818. She was a daughter of Charles Yorke, who served as Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain.

Second Marriage:

On 19 August 1819, he married Harriet Pole-Carew. Harriet was born on 9 February 1790 and died on 4 March 1877. She was the daughter of Reginald Pole-Carew.

Death and Succession:

John Eliot, 1st Earl of St Germans, died on 17 November 1823 at Port Eliot. He was buried on 27 November at St Germans Church. Following his death, he was succeeded by his brother William Eliot, who became the 2nd Earl of St Germans.