William Nassau de Zuylestein

September 17, 1717 (age 64)

Being active at the court of King George II and as an envoy to the Italian and Spanish courts, he acquired significant diplomatic skills. He was lord lieutenant of Essex from 1756 to 1766, when he was appointed British ambassador in Paris. In the latter post, he warned the cabinet, with some exaggeration, of potential French aggression following the French annexation of Corsica. Rochford was appointed secretary of state for the Northern Department on 21 October 1768 by the new prime minister, the Duke of Grafton. Both Grafton (FS) and Rochford (HS) resigned in October 1775, as a result of difficulties in dealing with the American colonies. Rochford retired with a annual pension of £2,500, which was quickly raised to £3,320. He gradually withdrew from active politics and died on 28 September 1781.

William Henry Nassau de Zuylestein

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also known as 4th Earl of Rochford

Diplomat statesman

Background

William Henry Nassau de Zuylestein was born on 17 September 1717, the eldest son of Frederick Nassau de Zuylestein, the third Earl of Rochford, and Bessy Savage, the illegitimate daughter of the third Earl Rivers.

Education

He was educated at Westminster School. He became a lord of the bedchamber in 1738, with a salary of £1,000 per year, and inherited property from an uncle, becoming the fourth Earl of Rochford.

Career

Being active at the court of King George II and as an envoy to the Italian and Spanish courts, he acquired significant diplomatic skills. He was lord lieutenant of Essex from 1756 to 1766, when he was appointed British ambassador in Paris. In the latter post, he warned the cabinet, with some exaggeration, of potential French aggression following the French annexation of Corsica.

Rochford was appointed secretary of state for the Northern Department on 21 October 1768 by the new prime minister, the Duke of Grafton.

Both Grafton (FS) and Rochford (HS) resigned in October 1775, as a result of difficulties in dealing with the American colonies. Rochford retired with a annual pension of £2,500, which was quickly raised to £3,320. He gradually withdrew from active politics and died on 28 September 1781.

Achievements

Rochford was something of an independent spirit, however, and his was the deciding vote that defeated Grafton’s cabinet proposal to repeal the “obnoxious” American duties. Rochford’s main responsibility was to deal with the treaty negotiations with Spain in 1770. These negotiations normally would have been the responsibility of Viscount Weymouth, the secretary of state for the Southern Department at this time; but Rochford switched departments with Weymouth on 17 December 1770 so as to have a hand in Spanish affairs and to organize the 1771 Convention with Spain. At this point Rochford was serving under Lord North, who had become prime minister in January 1770.

Connections

He married Lucy Young in May 1740.

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William Nassau de Zuylestein

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William Henry Nassau de Zuylestein

Background

Education

Career

Achievements

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Born

Died

Nationality

Career

1756 - 1766

1766

1768 - 1775