Correspondence and papers of Thomas Villiers, 1st Earl of Clarendon of the second creation, 1738-86
The papers comprise seventeen letter-books, with two volumes of State Tracts, relating to Villiers' diplomatic service, 1738-46. There are a further two letter-books, 1762-86. The correspondence comprises registered copies of Villiers' out-letters, and original letters to him. The out-letter-books, described as 'state letters by Mr Villiers', contain copies of Thomas Villiers' letters mainly to the Secretaries of State of the Northern Department, with many letters to British diplomats, and foreign ministers of state. The in-letter-books comprise original letters from the same officials, described as 'state letters to Mr Villiers', together with documents and printed papers relating to treaties and negotiations. There are particularly large runs of correspondence throughout the letter-books with the Secretaries of State for the Northern Department, the Earl of Harrington, and Lord Carteret; and with Thomas Robinson, ambassador in Vienna.
Dates
- Creation: 1738-86
Language of Materials
- English
Full range of shelfmarks:
MSS. Clar. dep. c. 327-47
Biographical / Historical
Thomas Villiers, 1st Earl of Clarendon of the Villiers family (1709-86), was the second son of William Villiers, 2nd Earl of Jersey. He was Envoy (from 1740 Minister) to Poland-Saxony, 1738-42, 1744-6; Minister in Vienna, 1742-3; and Resident Minister in Berlin, February to September 1746.
Villiers was MP for Tamworth, 1747-56. He was created Baron Hyde of Hindon in June 1756, and was made a Privy Councillor in 1763. He was Postmaster-General, and (1771-82) Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. In 1776 he was created Earl of Clarendon, and in 1782 was made a count in Prussia. For full details see Dictionary of National Biography.
Repository Details
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