George Coventry, 7th Earl of Coventry

Who was George Coventry, 7th Earl of Coventry?

George William Coventry, 7th Earl of Coventry, styled Viscount Deerhurst until 1809, was a British peer and Member of Parliament.

On 7 May 1776, he was commissioned an ensign in the 64th Regiment of Foot. Forbi On 21 January 1777, he became a lieutenant in the 17th Regiment of Light Dragoons.

In 1776 he had eloped to Gretna Green with Lady Catherine Henley, daughter of the Earl of Northington, leading to a long-standing estrangement from his father, the 6th Earl. Forbidden to return home, he spent much time with his friend Sir Richard Worsley, 7th Baronet at Appuldurcombe House, Isle of Wight.

He had an affair with Lady Worsley and was later involved in her scandalalous elopment with George Bisset in 1781, and the subsequent trial.

In 1783, he married Peggy Pitches, daughter of the brandy merchant Sir Abraham Pitches. They had 5 children, including the future 8th Earl.

Deerhurst was later appointed lieutenant-colonel of the Worcestershire Militia on 10 May 1806.

He succeeded his father George Coventry, 6th Earl of Coventry as Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire in 1808 and as Earl of Coventry in 1809.