Background
Born Algernon Smithson, he was the second son of Hugh Percy, 1st Duke of Northumberland, and his wife, Lady Elizabeth Seymour, only daughter of Algernon Seymour, 7th Duke of Somerset.
Born Algernon Smithson, he was the second son of Hugh Percy, 1st Duke of Northumberland, and his wife, Lady Elizabeth Seymour, only daughter of Algernon Seymour, 7th Duke of Somerset.
He was educated at Eton. He was elected Member of Parliament for both Northumberland and Bere Alston in 1780, and chose to continue sitting for Northumberland.
He was the brother of Hugh Percy, 2nd Duke of Northumberland, and the half-brother of James Smithson. In 1774, Percy was elected Member of Parliament for Northumberland. In 1786, he left the Commons when he inherited his father"s barony of Lovaine (a title which was created for his father with a special remainder to pass to Algernon as a second son).
He was created Earl of Beverley, in the County of York, in 1790.
Their surviving children were:
George Percy, later 5th Duke of Northumberland (1778–1867)
Honorary Algernon Percy (1779–1833), diplomat.
Honorary Hugh Percy (1784–1856), later Bishop of Rochester and Carlisle.
Honorary Josceline Percy (1784–1856), naval commander. Honorary Henry Percy (1785–1825), army officer, served in 7th Regiment of Foot 1804 then 14th Dragoons.
Captured 1812 during retreat from Burgos and detained in France until 1814. Aide-de-Camp to Sir John Moore 1808-1809 in Peninsular War and Aide-de-Camp to the Duke of Wellington 1815.
Carried Waterloo Dispatch from the battlefield and delivered to the Prince of Wales at 16 Street James"s Square, London.
Member of Parliament for Brere Alson 1820-1825. Died aged 39 on 15 April 1825, unmarried but with two illegitimate children by Marion Durand, a French woman he met while a prisoner of war in France, Major-General Sir Henry Marion Durand and Percy Durand. Sir Henry Durand"s son was created Baronet in 1892.
Honorary
William Henry Percy (1788–1855), politician and naval commander. Honorary Francis John Percy (1790–1812), army officer Lady Charlotte Percy (d 1862), married the 3rd Earl of Ashburnham and had issue.
Lady Emily Charlotte Percy (d 1877), married Andrew Mortimer Drummond.
Lady Elizabeth Percy, (d 1779), buried within the Northumberland Vault in Westminster Abbey. Lady Louisa Margaret Percy, (d 1796), buried within the Northumberland Vault in Westminster Abbey.
14th Parliament of Great Britain. 15th Parliament of Great Britain. 16th Parliament of Great Britain.