Francis Greville, 1st Earl of Warwick

Who was Francis Greville, 1st Earl of Warwick?

Francis Greville, 1st Earl of Warwick KT, known as Lord Brooke from 1727 to 1746 and Earl Brooke from 1746 to 1759, was a British nobleman.

He inherited Warwick Castle and the title of Baron Brooke from his father in 1727. He was created Earl Brooke, of Warwick Castle, on 7 July 1746, and became Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire in 1749. He became a Knight of the Thistle in 1743.

In 1759, he petitioned for the title Earl of Warwick when the last Earl of Warwick from the Rich family died. Francis' petition was granted, and Warwick Castle was once again held by the Earls of Warwick.

He was responsible for various renovations to the castle, including the construction of the State Dining Room and the private apartments. His early dalliances with the Neo-Gothic style even caught the attention of the infamous Horace Walpole, who referred to him once as "little Brooke". Lancelot "Capability" Brown was hired by the Earl to redesign the gardens and grounds surrounding the castle. He also employed the services of Giovanni Antonio Canal, who went onto paint five celebrated views of the castle. His son George Greville, 2nd Earl of Warwick further improved the castle and bought many of its present furnishings.