FREDERICK

See also:

• AUGUSTUS (a name 1 derived from Lat. augeo, increase, i.e. venerable, majestic, Gr. Ee0avr6s)

AUGUSTUS

See also:

• HERVEY, JAMES (1714–1758)

HERVEY  , bishop of Derry (1730-1803), who now became 4th earl of Bristol, was born on the 1st of August 1730, and educated at Westminster school and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, graduating in 1754 . Entering the church he became a royal chaplain; and while waiting for other preferment spent some time in Italy, whither he was led by his great interest in art . In February 1767, while his brother, the 2nd earl, was lord-lieutenant of Ireland, he was made bishop of Cloyne, and having improved the property of the see he was translated to the rich bishopric of Derry a year later . Here again he was active and philanthropic . While not neglecting his luxurious personal tastes he spent large sums of money on making roads and assisting agriculture, and his munificence was shared by the city of Londonderry . He built splendid residences at Downhill and Ballyscullion, which he adorned with rare works of art . As a bishop, Hervey was industrious and vigilant; he favoured complete religious equality, and was opposed to the system of tithes . In December 1779 he became earl of Bristol, and in spite of his brother's will succeeded to a considerable property . Having again passed some time in Italy, he returned to Ireland and in 1782 threw himself ardently into the Irish volunteer movement, quickly attaining a prominent position among the volunteers, and in great state attending the convention held in Dublin in November 1783 . Carried away by his position and his popularity he talked loudly of rebellion, and his violent language led the government to contemplate his arrest . Subsequently he took no part in politics, spending his later years mainly on the continent of Europe . In 1798 he was imprisoned by the French at Milan, remaining in custody for eighteen months .

He died at Albano on the 8th of

July 1803, and was buried in Ickworth church . Varying estimates have been found of his character, including favourable ones by John Wesley and Jeremy Bentham . He was undoubtedly clever and cultured, but licentious and eccentric . In later life he openly professed materialistic opinions; he fell in love with the countess Lichtenau, mistress of Frederick William II., king of Prussia; and by his bearing he gave fresh point to the saying that " God created men, women and Herveys." In 1752 he had married Elizabeth (d . 1800), daughter of Sir Jermyn Davers, Bart., by whom he had two sons and three daughters . His elder son, Augustus John, Lord Hervey 0757-1796), had predeceased his father, and he was succeeded in the title by his younger son .