Philip Sherard, 2nd Earl of Harborough

Sherard was the eldest son of Bennet Sherard, of Whissendine, Rutland, and his wife Dorothy Fairfax, daughter of Henry Fairfax, 4th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, Scotland, and widow of Robert Stapylton of Wighill, Yorkshire. He was admitted at Middle Temple in 1696. In 1699 the manor of Hellewell was settled on him by his father, who died in 1701, leaving him the rest of his estates. He married Anne Pedley, daughter of Nicholas Pedley of Washingley, Huntingdonshire on 12 March 1703.[1]

Sherard was appointed a Gentleman of the Privy Chamber to Queen Anne in 1705. At the 1708 British general election, he was returned as a Whig Member of Parliament for Rutland. He voted for the naturalization of the Palatines and was twice a teller on non-political matters in 1709. In 1710, he voted for the impeachment of Dr Sacheverell. He was defeated at the 1710 British general election. In 1714, his appointment as Gentleman of the Privy Chamber was renewed for the lifetime of George I . He was appointed deputy lieutenant of Rutland in 1715. At the 1722 British general election he attempted to regain his seat at Rutland, but was defeated.[1]

Sherard succeeded his cousin Bennet Sherard, 1st Earl of Harborough to the earldom on 16 October 1732. He was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Rutland in 1733.[1] In 1744, he was appointed a deputy lieutenant of Lincolnshire.[2]

The memorial to Philip Sherard, 2nd Earl of Harborough, (middle) in St Mary Magdalene's Church, Stapleford

Lord Harborough died at Stapleford, Leicestershire, on 20 July 1750, and was buried near Whissendine. By his wife Anne, who also died in 1750, he had six sons and eight daughters including:

• Bennet Sherard, 3rd Earl of Harborough (1709–1770). He married firstly Lady Elizabeth Verney, daughter of Ralph Verney, 1st Earl Verney. Secondly Frances Noel, granddaughter of Sir John Noel, 4th Baronet with whom he had one daughter. Thirdly, Margaret Hill, half-sister of Noel Hill, 1st Baron Berwick. Lastly Elizabeth Cave, daughter of Sir Thomas Cave, 5th Baronet.
• Hon. John Sherard (died 27 August 1746), unmarried, barrister, lieutenant of the Yeomen of the Guard
• Rev. Robert Sherard, 4th Earl of Harborough (1719–1799)
• Lt. Hon. Daniel Sherard, RN (17 June 1722 – June 1744)
• Lt-Gen. Philip Sherard (British Army officer)|Philip Sherard (1 March 1726/7 – 14 September 1790), unmarried
• Lady Dorothy Sherard, married Rev. James Torkington, and had issue
• Lady Lucy Sherard (died unmarried 29 April 1781)
• Lady Susan Sherard (died unmarried December 1765)
• Lady Ursula Sherard (died unmarried September 1745)

He was succeeded by Bennet Sherard, 3rd Earl of Harborough.