Background
Henry Phipps was born on 14 February 1755, the second son of Constantine Phipps, Baron Mulgrave of New Ross, and his wife, Lepell Hervey. His elder brother was Constantine John, second Baron Mulgrave.
Henry Phipps was born on 14 February 1755, the second son of Constantine Phipps, Baron Mulgrave of New Ross, and his wife, Lepell Hervey. His elder brother was Constantine John, second Baron Mulgrave.
Henry Phipps was educated at Eton and then entered the army in 1775, rising to the rank of captain in 1778.
He joined several regiments, fought in the American wars, was stationed in Jamaica, and attained the rank of colonel in 1790. In 1792 he gained the temporary rank of brigadier general of three regiments sent from Gibraltar to garrison Toulon. He eventually rose to the rank of general in 1809, although his active military career effectively ended in 1801.
During these years Phipps combined his military career with politics. In 1784, Phipps was elected as M.P. for Totnes, and in 1790 became M.P. for Scarborough.
On 13 August 1794 he was created a peer of the United Kingdom, with the title of Baron Mulgrave of Mulgrave, Yorkshire. During this time he acted as a military adviser to Pitt.
Mulgrave was most critical of the policy of the Addington ministry (1801-1804), which was formed after Pitt’s resignation in 1801. Pitt formed his second ministry in June 1804, and Mulgrave became secretary for foreign affairs in January 1805, a post that many in political circles felt was beyond his powers. However, after Pitt died, Mulgrave and most of Pitt’s friends resigned on 7 February 1806.
Although out of office during the period of Lord Grenville’s “Ministry of All the Talents,” Mulgrave returned to office as First Lord of the Admiralty in both the succeeding Portland and Perceval ministries, holding the post from 1807 to 1810. In this role he was responsible for several successful naval expeditions, including the seizure of the Danish fleet; but his actions against the French fleet in 1809 were unsuccessful. In May 1810 he became major general of ordnance. He maintained his membership in the cabinet, through the Perceval and Lord Liverpool ministries, until 1820, although he resigned as major general of ordnance, in favor of the Duke of Wellington in 1818.
After 1812 he spoke rarely in the House of Lords. His attitude toward Catholic emancipation changed over time, and he voted in favor of the measure in 1828. He died on 7 April 1831, a much respected politician and soldier, and a much admired debater.
By and large he supported the foreign and domestic policies of William Pitt, the Younger, the Tory prime minister, but opposed him on parliamentary reform and the ending of slavery.
In 1795 he married Martha Sophia Maling.