Walpole, Horace (1717-09-24 - 1797-03-02)

Horace Walpole was born in London on 24 September 1717, the youngest son of Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole. He was educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge, matriculating at the latter in 1735. He was admitted at Lincoln's Inn on 27 May 1731. He held various posts as Inspector at the Custom House and Chief Usher of the Exchequer, maintaining the latter until his death. He was also M.P. for Callington, Cornwall (1741-1754), Castle Rising, Norfolk (1754-1757), and Lynn, Norfolk (1757-1768). In 1747, he settled at Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, establishing a private press there. His novel, The Castle of Otranto, was published anonymously in 1767. Walpole succeeded as 4th Earl of Orford on 5 December 1791. He died on 2 March 1797 and was buried at Houghton.