THOMAS WEST, 3rd or 12th Baron De La Warr (1577-1618), British soldier and colonial governor in America, was born on July 9, 1577, and succeeded to the title in 1602. He fought in Holland and in Ireland under the earl of Essex. He was impris oned for complicity in Essex's revolt (1600—oi ), but was exon erated. He became a member of the council of the Virginia com pany and was appointed (1609) governor and captain-general of Virginia for life. Sailing in March 1610 with three ships, 150 settlers and supplies, he arrived at Jamestown on June Io, in time to intercept the colonists who had embarked for England and were abandoning the enterprise. Lord De La Warr's rule was strict but just ; he constructed two forts near the mouth of the James river, rebuilt Jamestown, and in general brought order out of chaos. In March 1611 he returned to London, where he published, at the request of the company's council, his Relation of the con dition of affairs in Virginia (reprinted 1859 and 1868). He re mained in England until 1618, when the news of the tyrannical rule of the deputy, Samuel Argall, led him to start again for Virginia. He embarked in April, but died en route on June 7, 1618, and was buried at sea. The Delaware river and the State of Dela ware were named in his honour. A younger brother, Francis (1586—c. 1634), was prominent in the affairs of Virginia, and in 1627-28 was president of the council, and acting-governor of the colony.
In 1761 the 3rd or 12th baron's descendant, John, 7th or 16th Baron De La Warr (1693-1766), was created Viscount Cantelupe and ist Earl De La Warr. He was a prominent figure in the House of Lords, at first as a supporter of Sir Robert Walpole. He also served in the British army and fought at Dettingen, and was made governor of Guernsey in 1752.
George John West, 5th earl (1791-1869), married Elizabeth Sackville, and in 1843 he and his sons took the name of Sack ville-West. The earl was twice lord chamberlain to Queen Victoria, and he is celebrated as "Fair Euryalus" in the Childish Recollec tions of his schoolfellow, Lord Byron. His son, Charles Richard (1815-73), 6th earl, served in the first Sikh war and in the Crimea, and being unmarried was succeeded by his brother Regi nald (1817-96) as 7th Earl De La Warr. In 1896 the 7th earl's son, Gilbert George (1869-1915) became 8th Earl De La Warr. He was succeeded as 9th earl by his son, Herbrand Edward (b. 1900).
See G. E. C(okayne), Complete Peerage