Horatio Walpole, 1st Baron Walpole

Horatio Walpole, 1st Baron Walpole, was born on 8 December 1678 and died on 5 February 1757. He was a British diplomat and politician who served as the British ambassador to France from 1724 to 1730. Walpole was the son of Robert Walpole and the younger brother of Sir Robert Walpole, who is recognized as the first Prime Minister of Great Britain.

Family Background

The Walpole family owned land in Norfolk since the 12th century, deriving their name from the village of Walpole in Norfolk. An early notable family member was Ralph de Walpole, who served as Bishop of Norwich from 1288 to 1299 and as Bishop of Ely from 1299 until his death on 20 March 1302. Later family members included three brothers—Edward (1560–1637), Richard (1564–1607), and Michael (1570–1624)—all affiliated with the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Another Jesuit from the family was Henry Walpole (1558–1595), known for writing "An Epitaph of the life and death of the most famous clerk and virtuous priest Edmund Campion." Henry Walpole was tortured and executed on 17 April 1595.

Education and Early Career

Horatio Walpole was born at Houghton and received his education at Eton College and King's College, Cambridge, where he became a fellow of King's. He entered the House of Commons in 1702 and remained a member for fifty-four years.

Political and Diplomatic Service

In 1715, when his brother Sir Robert Walpole became the first Lord of the Treasury, Horatio was appointed Secretary to the Treasury. The following year, he undertook a diplomatic mission to The Hague. He vacated his office in 1717 but returned to public service, serving as secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland in 1720 and once again as Secretary to the Treasury in 1721.

In 1722, Walpole was in The Hague, and in 1723, he was appointed envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to France. During his tenure in France, he established close relations with Fleury and supported his brother in efforts to maintain amicable relations with France. He represented Great Britain at the Congress of Soissons and contributed to the negotiation of the Treaty of Seville in November 1729.

Walpole left Paris in 1730 to serve as the British ambassador to The Hague from 1734 to 1740, advocating for European peace. He also participated in domestic affairs, notably serving as a founding governor of London's Foundling Hospital in 1739, a pioneering charitable institution of the period.

Later Life and Titles

Following Sir Robert Walpole's fall from power in 1742, Horatio publicly defended his brother's conduct in the House of Commons and through publications, including "The Interest of Great Britain steadily pursued." He authored an "Apology" discussing his own conduct from 1715 to 1739 and an "Answer to the latter part of Lord Bolingbroke's letters on the study of history," printed in 1763.

In 1724, Walpole commissioned Thomas Ripley to design a new residence at Wolterton, Norfolk, after his previous house was destroyed by fire. The resulting Wolterton Hall was completed in 1742. He was raised to the peerage as Baron Walpole, of Wolterton, in 1756. Horatio Walpole died at his residence in Whitehall on 5 February 1757.

Marriage and Children

Horatio Walpole married Mary Magdalen Lombard on 21 July 1720. They had nine children:

- Horatio Walpole, 2nd Baron Walpole (1723–1809), later created Earl of Orford in 1806.

- The Hon. Mary Walpole (born 25 February 1726), married Maurice Suckling.

- The Hon. Thomas Walpole (6 October 1727 – March 1803), married Elizabeth Vanneck, with whom he had issue.

- The Hon. Richard Walpole (5 December 1728 – 18 August 1798), married Margaret Vanneck, with whom he had issue.

- Susan Walpole (3 May 1730 – 29 April 1732).

- The Hon. Henrietta Louisa Walpole (28 November 1731 – June 1824).

- The Hon. Anne Walpole (12 July 1733 – 25 November 1797).

- Caroline Walpole (22 November 1734 – 11 January 1737).

- The Hon. Robert Walpole (1736–1810).

References and External Links

[References not provided in the initial text.]

External links include entries such as the National Portrait Gallery profile on Horatio Walpole.