Compton, William, 1st Earl of Northampton (1560 -1630)

William Compton was the eldest son of Henry Compton, Baron Compton of Compton, and his first wife, Frances, daughter of Francis Hastings, Earl of Huntingdon. He was educated at Cambridge, probably being admitted a Fellow Commoner of King's College early in 1589, he succeeded his father in November of that year, was admitted to Gray's Inn in 1593, took his M.A. early in 1595, and married, in spite of her father's vehement opposition, in 1594, Elizabeth, only daughter and heir of Sir John Spencer, Lord Mayor of London 1594 5. Lord Compton was made a Knight of the Bath at the creation of Charles, Duke of York and Albany in January 1605. On attending the King to Oxford, he was made M.A. of that University 30 August 1605, with many other gentlemen. Lord President of the Marches and Dominion of Wales, William Compton was created Earl of Northampton 2 August 1618, and made a Knight of the Garter 25 September 1628. The stamp was cut for the Bodleian Library to place on books bought with money given by him.