Frederick Howard, 5th Earl of Carlisle (28 May 1748 – 4 September 1825) was a British peer, statesman, diplomat, and author. He is best known for his role as head of the Carlisle Peace Commission (1778), which attempted to negotiate a reconciliation with the Thirteen Colonies during the American War of Independence, and for serving as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1780–1782).
Early Life and Family
Frederick Howard was born on 28 May 1748, the son of Henry Howard, 4th Earl of Carlisle, and his second wife, Isabella Byron. Through his mother, he was related to the poet Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron), who was a great-nephew of Isabella Byron. In 1798, Carlisle was appointed guardian to the young Lord Byron, who later lampooned him in his satirical poem English Bards and Scotch Reviewers.
During his youth, Carlisle was mentored by George Selwyn and was chiefly known as a man of fashion and pleasure. He was created a Knight of the Thistle in 1767 and entered the House of Lords in 1770.
Political Career
Carlisle Peace Commission (1778)
In 1778, Carlisle was appointed to lead a commission sent by Lord North's government to the American colonies in a final attempt at reconciliation before the French formally entered the American War of Independence. The commission offered to address many colonial grievances, including taxation without representation, but arrived too late — the Continental Congress had already ratified the Treaty of Alliance with France. The commission's failure was not due to any incapacity on Carlisle's part but to the unpopularity of the government from which it derived its authority.
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1780–1782)
Despite the failure of the peace commission, Carlisle's demonstrated ability led to his appointment as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1780. His tenure coincided with a period of great difficulty: the American war had drained Ireland of regular troops, and large bands of volunteers not under government control had formed. Nevertheless, Carlisle's two-year rule passed in relative quietness and prosperity. He helped institute a national bank and enacted measures that left lasting beneficial effects on Irish commerce.
Later Political Career
In 1789, during the Regency crisis, Carlisle took a prominent role supporting the Prince of Wales (later George IV). In 1791, he opposed William Pitt the Younger's policy of resisting the dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire by Russia. However, after the outbreak of the French Revolution, he left the opposition and vigorously supported the war against France. He resigned from the Order of the Thistle and was created a Knight of the Garter in 1793. In 1815, he opposed the enactment of the Corn Laws, but from this time until his death, he took no important part in public life.
Marriage and Children
On 22 March 1770, Frederick married Lady Margaret Caroline Leveson-Gower (died 27 January 1824), daughter of Granville Leveson-Gower, 1st Marquess of Stafford. They had ten children, including:
- George Howard, 6th Earl of Carlisle (1773–1848), who succeeded him
- Lady Elizabeth Howard (1780–1825), who married John Manners, 5th Duke of Rutland
- William Howard (1781–1843), Member of Parliament
- Major Frederick Howard (1785–1815), killed in action at the Battle of Waterloo
- Henry Edward John Howard (1795–1868), a clergyman
Carlisle was also reputedly the natural father of Howard Staunton (1810–1874), the English chess master regarded as the world's strongest player from 1843 to 1851, according to information gleaned by chess historian H. J. R. Murray.
Cultural Contributions
Carlisle was a noted collector of art. In 1798, he was part of the syndicate that purchased the celebrated Orleans Collection of paintings, many of which were housed at Castle Howard in North Yorkshire, where some remain to this day.
He was also an author, producing political tracts, poems, and two tragedies. His published works include:
- Poems (1773)
- The Father's Revenge (a tragedy, 1783)
- To Sir J. Reynolds (verses, 1790)
- The Stepmother (a tragedy, 1800)
- The Tragedies and Poems of Frederick, Earl of Carlisle (1801)
- Verses on the Death of Lord Nelson (1806)
- Thoughts on the present Condition of the Stage (1808)
- Miscellanies (1820)
Death
Frederick Howard, 5th Earl of Carlisle, died on 4 September 1825 at the age of 77. He was succeeded by his eldest son, George Howard.
