Leveson-Gower, John, Earl Gower (1694 -1754)

John Leveson Gower was born 10 August 1694, the eldest son of John Leveson Gower, 1st Baron Gower, and Catherine Manners, daughter of the 1st Duke of Rutland. He was educated at Oxford where he took a D.C.L. He married 13 March 1712, Evelyn Pierrepont, third daughter of Evelyn, Duke of Kingston. She died 26 June 1727 and he married secondly, 31 October 1733, Penelope, daughter of Sir John Stonehouse 7th Baronet, and widow of Sir Henry Atkins Baronet. She died 1 August 1734 and he married, thirdly, Mary, daughter and coheir of the 6th Earl of Thanet, and widow of Anthony Gret, Earl of Harold. Lord Gower was Lord Privy Seal 1742-1743 and 1744-1754, and was created Earl Gower 8 July 1746. He died 25 December 1754 and was succeeded by his eldest son Granville who was created 1st Marquess of Stafford.