CHESTERFIELD, DORMER STAN itorE, Earl of (1094-1773). An English states man and author. eldest son of the third Earl of Chesterfield. lie was born in London. September 22, 1694. Ile studied for about a year at Trinity Hall. Cambridge, and then left to travel in Flanders (1714). The next year lie was appoint ed a gentleman of the bedchamber to the Prince of Wales, and entered the House of Commons as a Whig. On the death of his father (1720), lie succeeded to the earldom and took his seat in the House of Lords. Two years later lie was appointed Ambassador to The Hague: in 1730 lie was made a 'Knight of the Garter and Lord Steward of the Household. Dismissed from office (1733), lie became a bitter opponent of Walpole. Particularly brilliant was his speech against the Licensing Act (1737). In 1744 he joined the Pelham and the next year was ap pointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, a post for which he was admirably qualified. In 1740 he became Secretary of State, and was offered a dukedom. In 1718 he resigned office, and passed the rest of his life in leisure. Ile died 24.
1773. Distinguished for wit and graceful man ners, lie was for a time on terms of intimacy with Pope. Swift, Bolingbroke, and other eminent contemporaries. At an inopportune time he thrust himself forward as it patron of Dr. 'John son. and was repudiated in a celebrated letter (February 7. 1755). Chesterfield's literary fame rests upon his Letters (published 1774) to his natural soil, Philip Dormer, written for the im provement of his manners. Long very popular, these letters contain counsel still valuable. Their immorality was justly censured by Dr. .1ohn son, and with equal justice Saintedieuve praised their praetical good sense. Consult: Letters of Chesterfield, edited by Lord Alahon (London, 184553), and by J. Bradshaw (London, 1892)i also Brow ning, Wit and Wisdom of Lord Chester field (London. 1875): Hill. Worldly Wisdom of Lord Chesterfield (New York, 1891) : and Col lins, Essays and Stwlics (London, 1895).