George Mason-Villiers, 2nd Earl Grandison
George Mason-Villiers, 2nd Earl Grandison PC (13 July 1751 – 14 July 1800), styled Viscount Villiers between 1767 and 1782, was a British peer and politician from the Villiers family.
Background and education
Born George Mason, he was the son of Alan Mason, who represented County Waterford in the Irish House of Commons, by Lady Elizabeth, daughter of John Villiers, 1st Earl Grandison. After his father's death in March 1759 her mother married as her second husband Major-General Charles Montague Halifax in 1763. He was educated at Eton. He became known by the courtesy title Viscount Villiers when his mother was elevated to an earldom in 1767.[1]
Political career
In 1774 he was returned to the British House of Commons for Ludlow, a seat he held until 1780.[2] In 1782 he succeeded his mother in the earldom. This was an Irish peerage and gave him a seat in the Irish House of Lords but not in the English House of Lords.[1] Three years later he was sworn of the Irish Privy Council.[1][3]
Family
Lord Grandison married Lady Gertrude, daughter of Francis Seymour-Conway, 1st Marquess of Hertford, in 1772. They had one daughter. The Countess Grandison died in Switzerland in September 1793, aged 42. Lord Grandison survived her by seven years and died in July 1800, aged 49. As he had no sons the earldom died with him. His daughter and heiress Lady Gertrude Amelia Mason-Villiers married Lord Henry Stuart. Their children included Henry Villiers-Stuart, 1st Baron Stuart de Decies and William Villiers-Stuart.[1]
References
| Parliament of Great Britain | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by William Fellowes Thomas Herbert |
Member of Parliament for Ludlow 1774–1780 With: The Lord Clive |
Succeeded by The Lord Clive Frederick Cornewall |
| Peerage of Ireland | ||
| Preceded by Elizabeth Mason |
Earl Grandison 1782–1800 |
Extinct |