Francis North, 4th Earl of Guilford

This text was inspired by a list of selected customers from the Old Snuff House of Fribourgh and Treyer, at the Rasp and Crown, No. 34 St-James Haymarket, London, S.W (1720-1920).

Francis North, 4th Earl of Guilford (1761-1817), was a British politician and peer. He was born on April 7, 1761, the eldest son of Frederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford, and his wife, Anne Speke.

North was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, and entered politics in 1784 when he was elected to the House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for Banbury. He served in the House of Commons until 1790, when he succeeded his father as Earl of Guilford and entered the House of Lords.

In the House of Lords, North was a supporter of the Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger and served as a Lord of the Treasury from 1791 to 1792. He also held the position of Master of the Buckhounds from 1796 to 1806.

Outside of politics, North was a patron of the arts and a collector of books and manuscripts. He was a friend of the writer Samuel Johnson and was known for his hospitality and wit.

North married twice. His first wife was Lady Maria Frances Mary Hobart, daughter of John Hobart, 2nd Earl of Buckinghamshire, with whom he had four children. His second wife was Lady Sophia Charlotte Molyneux, daughter of William Molyneux, 2nd Earl of Sefton, with whom he had two children.

Francis North, 4th Earl of Guilford, is primarily remembered as a politician and a patron of the arts, rather than for any particular achievements or accomplishments. However, there are a few notable aspects of his life and career that may be considered among his greatest achievements:

• Political service: North was a Member of Parliament for Banbury in the House of Commons and later served as a Lord of the Treasury and Master of the Buckhounds in the House of Lords. His political service was marked by his support for Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger and his dedication to public service.
• Patronage of the arts: North was a patron of the arts and an important collector of books and manuscripts. He was a friend of the writer Samuel Johnson and provided support to a number of artists, writers, and scholars of his day. He was also known for his hospitality and wit, which made him a beloved figure in literary and social circles.
• Family legacy: As the eldest son of Frederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford, Francis North inherited his father's titles and estates, including the family seat at Wroxton Abbey in Oxfordshire. He also had four children with his first wife, Lady Maria Frances Mary Hobart, and two children with his second wife, Lady Sophia Charlotte Molyneux. His descendants continue to hold the titles and estates of the Earls of Guilford to this day.

Overall, Francis North, 4th Earl of Guilford, was a prominent figure in politics and society during his lifetime, and his contributions to the arts and culture of his day continue to be appreciated today.