Field Marshall Richard Temple, 1st Viscount Cobham PC (24 October 1675 – 14 September 1749) was a British soldier and politician. He was known for his ownership of and modifications to the estate at Stowe and for serving as a political mentor to the young William Pitt. He was admitted fellow Commoner of Christ's in 1694 aged 18. Resided until 1696 succeeded his father as baronet in 1697. served as an MP then as a young colonel under Marlborough. at the siege of Lille. Elevated by George I 1714 as Baron Cobham of Cobham; Envoy to Charles VI; Viscount Cobham 1718 and commanded an expedition to Spain occupying Vigo in 1719. Married Anne Helsey of Stoke Poges but had no children. He was a friend of Alexander Pope. He died in 1749 aged 74.[Wikipedia and PBR II pp132] The portrait by Sir Godfrey Kneller shows him as a member of the Kit Cat Club.
