Background
Cranbourne was the son of William Cecil, 2nd Earl of Salisbury and his wife Lady Catherine Howard, a daughter of the 1st Earl of Suffolk.
Cranbourne was the son of William Cecil, 2nd Earl of Salisbury and his wife Lady Catherine Howard, a daughter of the 1st Earl of Suffolk.
He bore the courtesy title Viscount Cranbourne. He was educated at Street John"s College, Cambridge. He was Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire from 1640 to 1642.
Although not specifically excluded under Pride"s Purge, he is not recorded as sitting subsequently.
Cranbourne died at the age of 40 without inheriting the Earldom. Cranbourne married Lady Diana Maxwell, daughter of James Maxwell, 1st Earl of Dirletoun.
Short Parliament]
In April 1640, Cranbourne was elected Member of Parliament for Hertford for the Short Parliament and he was re-elected in November 1640 for the Long Parliament.