Brownlow Cecil, 2nd Marquess of Exeter Knight of the Order of the Garter Personal Computer, styled Lord Burghley until 1804, was a British peer, courtier and Tory politician.
Background
Exeter was the eldest son of Henry Cecil, 1st Marquess of Exeter, and Sarah, daughter of Thomas Hoggins. His mother died shortly before his second birthday and in 1804 he succeeded to the marquessate, aged eight, on the death of his father.
Career
He held office under the Earl of Derby as Lord Chamberlain of the Household in 1852 and as Lord Steward of the Household between 1858 and 1859. A keen cricketer who was associated with Marylebone Cricket Club (Master Control Console), prior to his political career he appeared in a first-class match in 1817 for West Ward"s XI against EH Budd"s XI at Lord"son He made scores of 1 and 4 not out in the match.
Exeter held office in the first two Tory administrations of the Earl of Derby, first as Lord Chamberlain of the Household between February and December 1852, and later as Lord Steward of the Household from 1858 to 1859.
Apart from his political career, he was also Lord Lieutenant of Rutland between 1826 and 1867 and of Northamptonshire between 1842 and 1867, and Groom of the Stole to the Prince Consort between 1841 and 1846. He was made a Knight of the Garter in 1827 and admitted to the Privy Council in 1841.
Lord Exeter married Isabella Poyntz, daughter of William Stephen Poyntz, on 12 May 1824. They had at least five children:
William Alleyne Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Exeter (1825–1895)
Colonel Lord Brownlow Thomas Montagu Cecil (1827–1905)
Lady Mary Frances Cecil (1832–1917), married Dudley Ryder, 3rd Earl of Harrowby
Lady Victoria Cecil (1843–1932)
The Marchioness of Exeter died in March 1879, aged 76.