Stanhope, James Stanhope, 1st Earl Stanhope (1673–1721)

French-born English soldier and politician. He served first under the duke of Savoy, and then under William of Orange, in Flanders, in the war against France. He distinguished himself in the campaign in Spain, and in 1707 was made major-general, and in 1708 appointed commander-in-chief of the British forces in Spain. He captured Mahón on the island of Menorca but was defeated and captured by the French in 1710 at Brihuega.

Stanhope born in Paris, France. He was educated at Eton School and Trinity College, Oxford University. He became a member of Parliament in 1702, and was an MP until his elevation to the peerage. In 1714 he was appointed one of the two principal secretaries of state.