From birth he was known as Viscount Petersham until 1829 when he succeeded his father and became 4th Earl of Harrington. He was educated at Eton from 1793 until 1795 when he entered the
ColdstreamGuards. In 1799 he became Captain of the Prince of Wales's Light Dragoons; in 1803 Major of the Queen's Rangers; and in 1807 Lieutenant Colonel 3rd West India Regiment. Although in 1812 he was placed on half pay, in 1814 he became Colonel. Also in 1812 he was a Lord of the Bedchamber to King George III until 1820, then from 1820 till 1829 to King George IV.

In 1831 he married the beautiful actress, Maria Foote, and they became the parents of a son and a daughter. As Viscount Petersham he was a somewhat eccentric leader of fashion and one of the most intimate companions of George IV. He enjoyed planting and landscape gardening and was a great patron of the stage. He was apparently tall and handsome and possessed a winning smile, yet he never ventured out of doors until six p.m.. Although his manners were affected and he spoke with a kind of lisp, he was still one of the most celebrated dandies of his day.

In the House of Lords he rarely voted. He opposed the Repeal of the Corn Laws in 1842 and again abstained from voting in 1846. As his only son had died in 1836 aged almost five, the Earl of Harrington was succeeded in 1851 by a younger brother.
 

Source: Leo van de Pas