The son of William Stanhope, 1st Earl of Harrington, he took up a military career and joined the Foot Guards in 1741, and was also returned for Aylesbury. He married Lady Caroline FitzRoy (1722–1784), daughter of Charles FitzRoy, 2nd Duke of Grafton, on 11 August 1746.
He was wounded at the battle of Fontenoy and shortly thereafter (5 June 1745) was appointed colonel of the Second Troop of Horse Grenadier Guards, an appointment he held for the remainder of his life. They had seven children:
Lady Caroline Stanhope (11 March 1747 – 9 February 1767), married Kenneth Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Seaforth
Lady Isabella Stanhope (c 1748 – 29 January 1819), married Charles Molyneux, 1st Earl of Sefton
Lady Amelia Stanhope (24 May 1749 – 5 September 1780), married Richard Barry, 6th Earl of Barrymore
Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl of Harrington (1753–1829)
Captain Honorary Henry Fitzroy Stanhope (29 May 1754 – 20 August 1828), married Elizabeth Falconer and had issue.
He was subject to a court martial in June 1783 over his actions during the invasion of Tobago but was found not guilty.
The Lieutenant Governor of the island George Ferguson was also cleared of any blame at a subsequent enquiry. Stanhope went on to become Member of Parliament for Bramber from February 1782 until 1784.
Lady Henrietta Stanhope (c 1756 – 2 January 1781), married Thomas Foley, 2nd Baron Foley
Lady Anna Maria Stanhope (c 1760 – 18 October 1834), married first Thomas Pelham-Clinton, 3rd Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne and second General Sir Charles Craufurd
In 1747, he became Member of Parliament for Bury Street Edmunds, and in 1755, was promoted major-general.
He succeeded to the earldom in 1756, and was promoted lieutenant-general in 1758 and general in 1770.
He was known to society as "the goat of quality" for the dissipation of his personal life: he visited the brothel of Sarah Prendergast in King"s Place, Street James"s, London, four times a week. 1719-1730: Mr William Stanhope
1730-1742: The Honourable William Stanhope
1742-1747: Viscount Petersham
1747-1756: Viscount Petersham Member of Parliament
1756-1779: The Right Honourable The Second Earl of Harrington.
9th Parliament of Great Britain. 10th Parliament of Great Britain.
