James Grimston, 1st Earl Of Verulam

James Walter Grimston, 1st Earl of Verulam, was born on 26 September 1775 and died on 17 November 1845. He was known by the courtesy title Lord Dunboyne from 1775 until 1808 and was styled as the 4th Viscount Grimston between 1808 and 1815. He was a member of the British peerage and had a career in politics.

He was the son of James Grimston, 3rd Viscount Grimston, of Gorhambury House, and Harriot Walter. In 1802, he was elected to the House of Commons representing St Albans, a parliamentary constituency he held until 1808. That year, he succeeded his father as the 4th Viscount Grimston and also inherited the title of 2nd Baron Verulam, which transferred his seat in the House of Lords. Concurrently, he became the tenth Lord Forrester after succeeding his maternal cousin.

In 1815, he was granted the titles of Viscount Grimston and Earl of Verulam in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. He served as Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire from 1823 until his death in 1845, holding an honorary position representing the monarch in the county.

In 1807, Grimston married Lady Charlotte Jenkinson, the daughter of Charles Jenkinson, 1st Earl of Liverpool. The marriage produced ten children—six sons and four daughters. All of his daughters married men who held the title of earl, linking the family to other noble lines.

His children included:

- James Walter Grimston (22 February 1809 – 1895), who succeeded as the 2nd Earl of Verulam.

- Lady Katherine Grimston (18 April 1810 – 1874), who married in 1834 John Foster-Barham (died 1838) and subsequently married George Villiers, 4th Earl of Clarendon, in 1839.

- Edward Harbottle Grimston (2 August 1812 – 1881).

- Henry Luckyn Grimston (August 1813 – 1814), who died young.

- Lady Emily Mary Grimston (14 February 1816 – 1901), married William Craven, 2nd Earl of Craven.

- Robert Grimston (18 September 1816 – 1884).

- Captain Charles Grimston (3 October 1818 – 1857), who served in the Coldstream Guards.

- Lady Mary Augusta Frederica Grimston (29 July 1821 – 1879), married Jacob Pleydell-Bouverie, 4th Earl of Radnor.

- Rev. Francis Sylvester Grimston (8 December 1823 – 1865), who married Katherine Morier and had children.

- Lady Jane Frederica Harriet Mary Grimston (17 January 1825 – 1888), who married James Alexander, 3rd Earl of Caledon.

James Walter Grimston held the peerages and titles until his death at the age of 70 in November 1845, after which his eldest son inherited his titles. His widow, Lady Charlotte Grimston, died in 1863.