James Stopford, 1st Earl of Courtown was an Irish politician.
Background
Courtown was the son of James Stopford, of Courtown, County Wexford, who represented Wexford County in the Irish House of Commons, and his wife Frances (née Jones). He succeeded his father as Member of Parliament for Wexford County in 1721, a seat he held until 1727, and then represented Fethard (County Wexford) from 1727 to 1758.
Career
In 1756 he was appointed High Sheriff of Wexford. In 1758 he was raised to the Peerage of Ireland as Baron Courtown, of Courtown in the County of Wexford. Four years later he was further honoured when he was made Viscount Stopford and Earl of Courtown, in the County of Wexford, also in the Peerage of Ireland.
Lord Courtown married Elizabeth, daughter of the Right Reverend Edward Smyth, Bishop of Down and Connor, in 1727.
Edward Stopford (1732–1794) was a Lieutenant-General in the Army. Another son. the Honorary Thomas Stopford, became Bishop of Cork and Ross.