Constituency Dates
Tamworth 1727 – 17271Also returned in 1734 for Tamworth.2Also returned in 1734 for Tamworth.
Northampton 1727 – 1741
Tamworth 1734 – 1741
Northampton 1741 – 3 Oct. 1754
Family and Education
b. 1692, 2nd s. of George Compton, 4th Earl of Northampton, by Jane, da. of Sir Stephen Fox of Farley, Wilts. educ. Eton 1706-7. m. 5 Mar. 1748, Frances, da. of Rev. Thomas Payne, s.p. suc. bro. as 6th Earl 3 Oct. 1754.
Offices Held

Cornet, R. Horse Gds. 1707; guidon and maj. 2 Life Gds. 1713; res. 1715; ld. of Treasury Feb. 1742-Dec. 1744.

biography text

George Compton, described by Horace Walpole as ‘a very silent person’,3Notes to Horace Walpole’s ms poems, ex. inf. W. S. Lewis. was brought in for Tamworth and Northampton by his brother, the 5th Earl of Northampton. He voted consistently against the Government till Walpole’s fall, when he was made a lord of the Treasury, whose nominal head was his uncle, Lord Wilmington. When Pelham succeeded Wilmington in 1743 Compton was allowed to retain his office; but at the end of 1744 he was turned out with the rest of the Bath-Granville squadron. He was classed in 1746 as one of Bath’s followers and in 1747 as Opposition. He succeeded to the earldom of Northampton shortly before his death, 6 Dec. 1758.

Author
R.R.S.
Volume
Commons 1715-1754
Notes
  • 1. Also returned in 1734 for Tamworth.
  • 2. Also returned in 1734 for Tamworth.
  • 3. Notes to Horace Walpole’s ms poems, ex. inf. W. S. Lewis.