George Harcourt, 2nd Earl Harcourt

Life

Harcourt was the son of Simon Harcourt, 1st Earl Harcourt, who died in 1777 until which time George was known as Viscount Nuneham, and his wife Rebecca. He spent two years at Westminster School, and had art lessons from Alexander Cozens and other masters.

In 1754 Harcourt travelled in Germany and Italy with George Bussy Villiers, and William Whitehead as tutor to Villiers. His Grand Tour continued to 1756. Whitehead later wrote poems about both family estates, Middleton Park and Nuneham Courtenay.

Harcourt was elected to parliament for St Albans in 1761, remaining a member until 1767. He was not recorded as having spoken in the House. He was a supporter of John Wilkes, a friend of Catherine Macaulay, and an opponent of the war against the American colonies, having entered the House of Lords in 1777.

In 1772 Harcourt began to redesign the gardens at Nuneham Courtenay, assisted by William Mason, moving on to the park in 1777. From 1779 Capability Brown was brought in to advise, on the park and gardens; and Paul Sandby, perhaps a contact made through Whitehead, on the interior of the house. As a patron Harcourt employed Thomas Pitt on a monument to his father, and set up a poetry prize on the Ancient Britons, won by George Richards.

Family

Harcourt married Elizabeth, daughter of George Venables-Vernon, 1st Baron Vernon, a cousin, in 1765.