John Perceval, 2nd Earl Of Egmont

John Perceval, 2nd Earl of Egmont (24 or 25 February 1711 – 4 December 1770), was a British politician and genealogist of Anglo-Irish descent. He held the position of First Lord of the Admiralty and was involved in parliamentary service in both the Irish and British legislatures. He was the father of Spencer Perceval, who served as Prime Minister during the Regency Era.

Early Life:

Perceval was the son and heir of John Perceval, 1st Earl of Egmont, and his wife Catherine Parker. He was baptized at the Palace of Westminster, London. His siblings included Lady Catharine Perceval, who married Thomas Hanmer MP of The Fenns, and Lady Helena Perceval, who married John Rawdon, 1st Earl of Moira. His paternal grandparents were Sir John Perceval, 3rd Baronet of Lohort Castle, and Catherine Dering, daughter of Sir Edward Dering, 2nd Baronet. His maternal grandparents were Sir Philip Parker, 2nd Baronet of Arwarton, and Mary Fortray, daughter of Samuel Fortrey. Perceval succeeded his father in 1748 as the 2nd Earl of Egmont in the Peerage of Ireland.

Career:

Perceval served as a Member of the Irish Parliament for Dingle from 1731 to 1749. In April 1748, he was appointed as Gentleman of the Bedchamber to the Prince of Wales. He was sworn into the Privy Council of Great Britain in January 1755. His parliamentary service included representing Dingle (Ireland, 1731–49), Westminster (1741–47), Weobley (1747–54), and Bridgwater (1754–62). In 1762, he was elevated to the peerage as Baron Lovel and Holland, of Enmore in Somerset, granting him a seat in the House of Lords.

From 1751 to 1757, Perceval designed and created Enmore Castle at Enmore, Somerset. His architectural project was noted by Horace Walpole as receiving sarcastic commentary. He served as joint Postmaster-General from 1762 to 1763 along with Robert Hampden, 4th Baron Trevor. Subsequently, he served as First Lord of the Admiralty from 1763 to 1766. During his tenure as First Sea Lord, geographic locations such as Port Egmont in the Falkland Islands and Mount Taranaki in New Zealand were named in his honor, with the latter named Mount Egmont by Captain James Cook during his first voyage in 1770.

Personal Life:

Perceval was married twice. His first marriage was on 15 February 1737 to Lady Catherine Cecil, daughter of James Cecil, 5th Earl of Salisbury. They had seven children before her death on 16 August 1752. Their children included:

- John Perceval, 3rd Earl of Egmont (1738–1822)

- Cecil Parker Perceval (1739–1753)

- Philip Tufton Perceval (1742–1795)

- Edward Perceval (1744–1824)

- Catherine Perceval (1746–1782)

- Margaret Perceval (1748–1750)

- Frederick Augustus Perceval (1750–1757)

His second marriage was on 26 January 1756 to Catherine Compton, daughter of Hon. Charles Compton and sister of Earl of Northampton. They had nine children, including:

- Charles George Perceval (1756–1840)

- Mary Perceval (d. 1839)

- Anne Perceval (1759–1772)

- Spencer Perceval (1762–1812), who served as Prime Minister

- Elizabeth Perceval (d. 1846)

- Henry Perceval (1765–1772)

- Frances Perceval (b. 1767–1817)

- Margaret Perceval (b. 1769–1854)

Death and Legacy:

John Perceval died on 4 December 1770 in Pall Mall, London, at age 59. After his death, his widow was created Baroness Arden of Lohort Castle in the Peerage of Ireland by royal warrant on 23 May 1770. She died at Langley, Buckinghamshire, on 11 June 1784. Geographic features named after him include Port Egmont and Mount Egmont (now Taranaki in New Zealand). The mountain, named by Captain Cook in 1770, has since been returned to its indigenous Māori name, but the Egmont name persists in related geographic and geological references.