Charles Compton, 7th Earl Of Northampton

Charles Compton, 7th Earl of Northampton, DL, was born on 22 July 1737 and died on 18 October 1763. He was a British peer and diplomat. He was the eldest son of the Honorable Charles Compton, who was the youngest son of George Compton, 4th Earl of Northampton, and his wife Mary, the only daughter of Sir Berkeley Lucy, 3rd Baronet.

Compton received education at Westminster School before attending Christ Church, Oxford. In 1758, he succeeded his uncle, George Compton, as the Earl of Northampton. That same year, he was elected Recorder of Northampton. In 1759, he was awarded a Doctor of Civil Law (DCL) degree by Oxford University. Additionally, he was nominated as a deputy lieutenant for Northamptonshire.

During the coronation of King George III in 1761, Compton served as the Bearer of the Ivory Rod with the Dove, a ceremonial role. In May 1763, he was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Venice. However, he died only a few months after this appointment.

On 13 September 1759, Compton married Lady Ann Somerset, the eldest daughter of Charles Somerset, 4th Duke of Beaufort. They had one child, Elizabeth Compton, who later married George Cavendish, 1st Earl of Burlington.

Lady Ann Somerset died in Naples in May 1763. Compton survived her by a few months, passing away in October 1763 at the age of 26. Both were buried in the family vault in Northamptonshire.

Upon his death, the title of Earl of Northampton was inherited by his younger brother, Spencer Compton.