Baron North

Baron North, of Kirtling Tower in the County of Cambridge, is an abeyant title in the Peerage of England. Its most famous holder was Frederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford, 8th Baron North, who served as Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1770 to 1782, a period which included most of the American Revolutionary War.

The title was created on 17 January 1554 for Sir Edward North, a successful lawyer, clerk of the Parliament and chancellor of the Court of Augmentations. The barony was created by writ, which means that it can descend through both male and female lines. Lord North was succeeded by his son Roger, the second Baron. He was English ambassador to France, Treasurer of the Household and Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire. On his death the title passed to his grandson Dudley, the third Baron. He was also Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire. He was succeeded by his son, also named Dudley, the fourth Baron. He represented Horsham and Cambridgeshire in the House of Commons. His second son the Hon. Sir Francis North was created Baron Guilford in 1683.