Sir Richard Temple Bt, 1st Viscount Cobham

Richard Temple made an enormous contribution to Britain, as a soldier, as a politician, and as the creator of much of the stately home Stowe House. As a soldier he served under Marlborough and rose to the rank of lieutenant-general at the very early age of 34. He distinguished himself at the siege of Lille in 1708. In Whig politics he was instrumental in the fostering of Prime Minister William Pitt, Prime Minister George Grenville and Chancellor of the Exchequer George Lyttelton, all known as Cobham's Cubs. He used his income from his titles and the inheritance of his wife, Anne Halsey to make drastic changes to Stowe House which had been in the Temple family since 1589. He employed John Vanbrugh and gardener Charles Bridgeman. He was also a founding governor of the Foundling Hospital. 1675 Born on 24th Oct, he son of the 3rd Baronet of Stowe 1697 Entered the army 1697 Became 4th Baronet 1697 MP for Buckingham 1701 Lieutenant-Colonel at age 26 1703 Colonel of 5DG 1708 Siege of Lille 1709 Lieutenant-General at age 34 1710 Colonel of 4th Dragoons (Hussars) 1711 Began renovation of Stowe 1714 Created Baron Cobham 1715 Married heiress Anne Halsey 1715 Colonel of Royal Regiment of Dragoons 1716 Constable of Windsor Castle 1719 Capture Vigo 1721 Colonel of KDG 1723 Governor of Jersey 1728 Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire 1739 Creation of Foundling Hospital 1742 Colonel of 1st Troop Horse grenadier Guards 1749 Died 14th Sep.

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