Perceval, John, 1st Earl of Egmont (1683 -1748)

Sir John Perceval was born 22 July 1683, the second son of Sir John Perceval, 3rd Baronet of Burton Kanturk in County Cork, and Catherine, fourth daughter of Sir Edward Dering, 2nd Baronet, of Surrenden in Kent. He was educated at Westminster School, and Magdalen College, Oxford, where he matriculated 18 November 1699, but left the University without a degree in 1701. He succeeded his elder brother, Sir Edward, 9 November 1691, A Fellow of the Royal Society at eighteen, Member of Parliament for Cork 1703-1715 and Privy Councillor at twenty-one, he was created Baron Perceval of Burton in County Cork 21 April 1715, and Viscount Perceval of Kanturk 25 February 1723. He was elected Member of Parliament for Harwich in 1727, a seat he held until 1734, He was appointed the first President of the trustees for establishing the colony of Georgia in 1732. He was created Earl of Egmont in the kingdom of Ireland 6 November 1733. He married, 20 June 1710, Catherine, eldest daughter of Sir Philip Parker à Morley, 2nd Baronet, of Erwarton in Suffolk. He died suddenly in London 1 May 1748 and was succeeded by his only son and heir John Perceval 2nd Earl of Egmont.