CARNARVON, EARLDOM OF. The earldom of Car narvon was created in 1628 for Robert Dormer, Baron Dormer of Wyng (c. 1610-1643), who was killed at the first battle of New bury whilst fighting for Charles I., and it became extinct on the death of his son Charles, the 2nd earl, in 1709. From 1714 to 1789 it was held by the family of Brydges, dukes of Chandos and mar quesses of Carnarvon, and in 1793 Henry Herbert, Baron Por chester (1741-1811), was created earl of Carnarvon.
HENRY HOWARD MOLYNEUX HERBERT, 4th earl of Carnarvon (1831-1890), was born on June 24, 1831. He was educated at Eton and Christchurch, Oxford, and succeeded to the title in 1849, on the death of his father, Henry John George, the 3rd earl (180o-1849). In 1858 he was under-secretary for the colonies, and in 1866 secretary of state, and he introduced in 1867 the bill for the federation of the British North American provinces; but before the measure became law he had resigned, owing to his distaste for Disraeli's Reform bill. Resuming office in 1874, he endeavoured to confer a similar boon on South Africa, but the times were not ripe. In 1878 he again resigned, out of opposition to Lord Beaconsfield's policy on the Eastern question; but on his party's return to power in 1885 he became lord lieutenant of Ireland. He resigned on a question of personal veracity raised by Parnell. He never returned to office, and died on June 29, 1890. He was high steward of the University of Oxford, and president of the Society of Antiquaries. The 4th earl was succeeded by his son, George Edward Stanhope Molyneux (1866-1923), Q.V.
