Alleyne Fitzherbert, 1st Baron St Helens
| The Lord St Helens | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
1 March 1753 Derby |
| Died |
19 February 1839 (aged 85) Grafton Street, London |
| Education | St John's College, Cambridge |
| Occupation | diplomat |
| Parent(s) | William and Mary Fitzherbert |
Alleyne FitzHerbert, 1st Baron St Helens PC (1 March 1753 Derby – 19 February 1839 London) was a British diplomat. He was Minister Plenipotentiary to Russia from 1783 to 1788, appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland and a member of the Privy Council (Great Britain & Ireland) in 1787, serving in the former position until 1789. He was Minister plenipotentiary to Spain from 1790 to 1794.
He was a friend of explorer George Vancouver, who named Mount St. Helens in what is now the U.S. state of Washington after him.
Alleyne was fifth and youngest son of William Fitzherbert of Tissington in Derbyshire, who married Mary, eldest daughter of Littleton Poyntz Meynell of Bradley, near Ashbourne. His father, who was Member for the Borough of Derby and a Commissioner of the Board of Trade, committed suicide on 2 January 1772 due to pecuniary trouble. He was numbered among the friends of Dr. Johnson, who bore witness to his felicity of manner and his general popularity, but depreciated the extent of his learning. Of his mother the same authority is reported to have said that she had 'the best understanding he ever met with in any human being.' Alleyne, who inherited his baptismal name from his maternal grandmother, Judith, daughter of Thomas Alleyne of Barbados, was born in 1753. FitzHerbert was educated at Derby School (1763–1766), Eton College (1766–70) and St John's College, Cambridge (1770–1774). His elder brother, also William inherited the family seat and became a baronet.
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