George Onslow, 1st Earl of Onslow


George Onslow, 1st Earl of Onslow PC, known as The Lord Onslow from 1776 until 1801, was a British peer and politician.

Background

He was the only son of Arthur Onslow, having no brothers but one sister, who died in 1751. Following in the footsteps of his father, he was admitted to the Middle Temple on 14 November 1739, but was not Called to the Bar.

Political career

Onslow sat as Member of Parliament for Rye from 1754 to 1761 and for Surrey from 1761 to 1774. From 1765 to 1777, he was a junior Lord of the Treasury. He then became successively Comptroller of the Household and Treasurer of the Household. On 20 May 1776, he was created Baron Cranley, of Imber Court in the County of Surrey. On 8 October 1776, he also succeeded his second cousin Richard Onslow, 3rd Baron Onslow as Baron Onslow. He was further honoured on 17 June 1801 when he was created Viscount Cranley, of Cranley in the County of Surrey, and Earl of Onslow, of Onslow in the County of Shropshire.

Family

Lord Onslow married Henrietta Shelley, daughter of Sir John Shelley, 4th Baronet and his second wife Margaret Pelham, on 26 June 1753. They had four sons and one daughter:
In 1778, Lord Onslow sold Imber Court in Thames Ditton, and a large estate including farms and gardens, and the Imber Court Copper Mills.