David Murray, 2nd Earl of Mansfield

David Murray, 2nd Earl of Mansfield KT, PC (9 October 1727 – 1 September 1796), known from 1748 to 1793 as The Viscount Stormont, was a British politician. He succeeded to both the Mansfield and Stormont lines of the Murray family, inheriting two titles and two fortunes. Mansfield was the son of David Murray, 6th Viscount of Stormont, and his wife Anne Stewart. Lord Chief Justice William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield was his uncle. He was ambassa... more

David Murray, 2nd Earl of Mansfield KT, PC (9 October 1727 – 1 September 1796), known from 1748 to 1793 as The Viscount Stormont, was a British politician. He succeeded to both the Mansfield and Stormont lines of the Murray family, inheriting two titles and two fortunes. Mansfield was the son of David Murray, 6th Viscount of Stormont, and his wife Anne Stewart. Lord Chief Justice William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield was his uncle. He was ambassador to Vienna and then to France in the early years of the American Revolutionary War, and played a role in sending news of American actions back to England. Mansfield had been elected a Scottish Representative Peer in 1754 and served as the last Secretary of State for the Northern Department from 1779 to 1782 and as Lord President of the Council in 1783 and again from 1794 to 1796 and was also Lord Justice General between 1778 and 1795. He was appointed a Privy Counsellor in 1763 and made a Knight of the Thistle in 1768. Lord Mansfield... less