William Nassau de Zuylestein, 2nd Earl of Rochford

Who was William Nassau de Zuylestein, 2nd Earl of Rochford?

William Nassau de Zuylestein, 2nd Earl of Rochford was a British peer and member of the House of Lords, styled Viscount Tunbridge from 1695 to 1709.

Tunbridge was returned for the Whig party as an Irish Member of Parliament for Kilkenny City in 1705, and was also returned to the British House of Commons for Steyning in 1708. However, his principal importance was as a military commander: he was an aide-de-camp to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough in Flanders in 1704, and was commissioned a lieutenant-colonel in the 32nd Regiment of Foot in January 1706. On 12 April, he received a commission as the colonel of a new regiment of foot, part of the Irish army, and on 1 February 1707, he was appointed colonel of the 3rd Regiment of Dragoons, which embarked for Spain in 1708.

In January 1709, he succeeded his father as Earl of Rochford, and was commissioned a brigadier general in January 1710. Rochford was killed on 27 July 1710 at the Battle of Almenar while leading his regiment, aged 28. He was succeeded by his brother Frederick Nassau de Zuylestein, 3rd Earl of Rochford.