Horatio Walpole, 2nd Earl Of Orford

Horatio Walpole, 2nd Earl of Orford, was born on either 13 June or 24 June 1752 and died on 15 June 1822. He was known as The Honourable Horatio Walpole from 1757 until 1806 and as Lord Walpole from 1806 until 1809. He was a British peer and politician.

**Background and Family**

He was the son of Horatio Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford, who was the grandson of Horatio Walpole, 1st Baron Walpole of Wolterton. The latter was the brother of Robert Walpole, the Prime Minister of Great Britain. His mother was Lady Rachel Cavendish, the daughter of William Cavendish, 3rd Duke of Devonshire.

In 1806, when the earldom of Orford was revived in favor of his father, Horatio Walpole adopted the courtesy title Lord Walpole. He was later styled Lord Walpole between 1806 and 1809.

**Political Career**

In 1780, Horatio Walpole was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Wigan. He held this seat until 1784. Subsequently, he represented King’s Lynn from 1784 to 1809. In 1809, he succeeded his father in the earldom of Orford and entered the House of Lords.

During the American War of Independence, his kinsman George Walpole, 3rd Earl of Orford of the first creation, served as Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk. He appointed Horatio Walpole as Lieutenant-Colonel of the East Norfolk Militia. After the death of the 3rd Earl of Orford, Horatio Walpole succeeded him as Colonel of the West Norfolk Militia. Upon his own death in 1822, his son, Horatio Walpole, became the 3rd Earl of Orford and succeeded in command.

**Family and Marriages**

Horatio Walpole was married twice. His first marriage was in 1781 to Sophia Churchill, the daughter of Charles Churchill and granddaughter of Robert Walpole. Sophia died in 1797. His second marriage occurred in 1806 to Catherine Tunstall, daughter of Reverend James Tunstall. Catherine died the following year, in 1807. Horatio Walpole survived her by 15 years and died in June 1822.

He was succeeded in the earldom by his son, Horatio Walpole, who became the 3rd Earl of Orford.