Earl of Malmesbury

Earl of Malmesbury is an ancestral title in the UK Peerhood system . It was created in 1800 for the diplomat James Harris, 1st Baron Malmesbury (1746-1820). James was the son of the grammar and politician James Harris (1709-1780), the British ambassador to Spain, Prussia, Russia and France. He also represented Christchurch in the House of Commons (1761-1781). Back in 1788, the title of Baron Malmesbury from Malmesbury in Wiltshire was created for James Harris. Together with the Earl's title in 1800, he received the Viscount FitzHarris title from Hearn Court in Southampton County.

He was succeeded by his eldest son, James Harris, 2nd Earl of Malmesbury (1778-1841). He sat in the House of Commons of Great Britain from Helston (1802-1804), Horsham (1804-1807), Heightsbury (1807-1812) and Wilton (1816-1820). His eldest son, James Harris, 3rd Earl of Malmesbury (1807–1889), was a prominent conservative politician . He held the posts of Minister of Foreign Affairs (1852, 1858-1859), Guardian Lord of the Small Seal (1866-1868, 1874-1876) and leader of the House of Lords (1868). Lord Malmesbury died childless, and he was succeeded by his nephew , Edward James Harris, 4th Earl of Mulberry (1842-1899). He was the son of Admiral Sir Edward Harris (1808–1888), the second son of the 2nd Earl of Mulberry.

His eldest son, James Edward Harris, 5th Earl of Malmesbury (1872–1950), served as Lord-in-waiting (1922–1924) in the conservative governments of Ednry Bonard Law and Stanley Baldwin , and later became chairman of the Hampshire County Council (1927– 1937). He was succeeded by his only son, William James Harris, 6th Earl of Malmesbury (1907–2000). He was Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire County (1973-1982).

As of 2010 , the holder of the title of count is his only son, the 7th Earl of Malmesbury (born 1946), who inherited his father in 2000 .

• The Honorable Sir Edward Harris (1808–1888), the second son of the 2nd Earl of Malmesbury, Admiral of the Royal Navy , held a number of diplomatic posts and represented Christchurch in the House of Commons (1844–1852)
• The Honorable Charles Amyand Harris (1813–1874), the third son of the 2nd Earl of Malmesbury, an Anglican priest , was bishop of Gibraltar from 1868–1873.

Currently, the family residence is Gravelle House in the vicinity of Basingstoke in Hampshire . Former residence - Heron Court (Hearn Court) in Herne , near Christchurch in the county of Dorset .