Thomas Howard, 3rd Earl of Effingham
Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Howard, 3rd Earl of Effingham, PC (13 January 1746 – 19 November 1791), styled Lord Howard until 1763, was a British nobleman and Army officer, the son of Thomas Howard, 2nd Earl of Effingham, and his wife Elizabeth.
Thomas Howard | |
|---|---|
| Earl of Effingham | |
| Born | 13 January 1746 |
| Died | 19 November 1791 (aged 45) |
| Noble family | House of Howard-Effingham |
| Spouse(s) | Catherine Proctor |
| Issue
none | |
| Father | Thomas Howard, 2nd Earl of Effingham |
| Mother | Elizabeth Beckford |
He is best known for resigning his commission in protest against the war against the North American colonies.[1][2] This widely reported act was commemorated by the North American colonists in the naming of a galley in 1775, and later the frigate USS Effingham in 1777, as well as in the naming of Effingham, New Hampshire, Effingham County, Georgia, and Effingham County, Illinois.
During the events leading up to the American Revolution, the Earl was neither a Patriot or a Loyalist, he was a Neutralist; he was not on either side. The Earl of Effingham disliked both sides: the royal government for taxing, and the colonists for rebelling. Howard believed that the conflicts had a negative impact on Great Britain and the colonies. He was devoted to his King and country, and was willing to lose his life while protecting the realm from attack.
In 1785, a London newspaper reported that he was being considered for the role of minister to the United States, to reciprocate John Adams coming to Great Britain to serve as Ambassador.[3] However, he did not go to America; George Hammond later served as the first envoy to America.
He died at the age of 45, while serving as Governor of Jamaica, a month and five days after his wife, leaving no heir. His title passed to his brother Richard.
References
- "The Lords Effingham and the American colonies:, 1976, Hilda Engbring Feldhake.
- "THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, INCLUDING ALSO THE BEAUTIES OF AMERICAN HISTORY" Archived 2012-04-29 at the Wayback Machine
- "London Morning Herald and Daily Advertiser". June 8, 1785.
- Craig, John (1953). The Mint: A History of the London Mint from A.D. 287 to 1948. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. pp. 226–227. ASIN B0000CIHG7.
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Alured Clarke |
Governor of Jamaica 1790–1791 |
Succeeded by Adam Williamson |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by The Earl of Scarbrough |
Deputy Earl Marshal 1777–1782 |
Succeeded by Earl of Surrey |
| Preceded by Viscount Cranborne |
Treasurer of the Household 1782–1783 |
Succeeded by Charles Francis Greville |
| Preceded by Hon. Charles Cadogan |
Master of the Mint 1784–1789 |
Succeeded by The Earl of Chesterfield |
| Peerage of England | ||
| Preceded by Thomas Howard |
Earl of Effingham 1763–1791 |
Succeeded by Richard Howard |
External links
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