He was the second son of Philip Yorke, 1st Earl of Hardwicke and Margaret Cocks Lygon.
He showed political promise from an early age, attended Cambridge University, was called to the Bar and entered Parliament at the age of 24.
The cause of his death, whether by natural causes or suicide, has been speculated upon since it happened in 1770, though it is most-likely that the rumor of suicide was spread by Walpole in his book, 'Memoirs of the Reign of George III'.
Yorke was offered the position of Lord Chancellor and the title 'Baron Morden.' This was a position that he had been trained for all his life, but he had pledged himself to the Opposition. In order to keep his word he would have to decline the offer. Yorke's health was already failing, and the pressure of the decision was too much. His family and political colleagues counseled him to refuse. The King urged him to accept, telling him that if Yorke were to refuse this time --- then the position would never again be offered.
On 17 Jan 1770, Yorke accepted the position of Lord Chancellor. He set out immediately for his brother's house to announce his action, but it was there that he found all of the leaders of the Opposition (the very men to whom he had pledged loyalty) in a meeting. After severe reproach and discussion, Yorke returned to his own house. The effect of his decision seems to have pushed his breaking health over the edge. He died three days later in the room with the Patent of Nobility that would raise him to the peerage. His last act, before his death, was to refuse himself the honor.
He was married twice, firstly to Catherine Freeman. They had one son, Philip Yorke, who became the 3rd Earl of Hardwicke. He married secondly, Agneta Johnson. They had three children.
He showed political promise from an early age, attended Cambridge University, was called to the Bar and entered Parliament at the age of 24.
The cause of his death, whether by natural causes or suicide, has been speculated upon since it happened in 1770, though it is most-likely that the rumor of suicide was spread by Walpole in his book, 'Memoirs of the Reign of George III'.
Yorke was offered the position of Lord Chancellor and the title 'Baron Morden.' This was a position that he had been trained for all his life, but he had pledged himself to the Opposition. In order to keep his word he would have to decline the offer. Yorke's health was already failing, and the pressure of the decision was too much. His family and political colleagues counseled him to refuse. The King urged him to accept, telling him that if Yorke were to refuse this time --- then the position would never again be offered.
On 17 Jan 1770, Yorke accepted the position of Lord Chancellor. He set out immediately for his brother's house to announce his action, but it was there that he found all of the leaders of the Opposition (the very men to whom he had pledged loyalty) in a meeting. After severe reproach and discussion, Yorke returned to his own house. The effect of his decision seems to have pushed his breaking health over the edge. He died three days later in the room with the Patent of Nobility that would raise him to the peerage. His last act, before his death, was to refuse himself the honor.
He was married twice, firstly to Catherine Freeman. They had one son, Philip Yorke, who became the 3rd Earl of Hardwicke. He married secondly, Agneta Johnson. They had three children.
He was the second son of Philip Yorke, 1st Earl of Hardwicke and Margaret Cocks Lygon.
He showed political promise from an early age, attended Cambridge University, was called to the Bar and entered Parliament at the age of 24.
The cause of his death, whether by natural causes or suicide, has been speculated upon since it happened in 1770, though it is most-likely that the rumor of suicide was spread by Walpole in his book, 'Memoirs of the Reign of George III'.
Yorke was offered the position of Lord Chancellor and the title 'Baron Morden.' This was a position that he had been trained for all his life, but he had pledged himself to the Opposition. In order to keep his word he would have to decline the offer. Yorke's health was already failing, and the pressure of the decision was too much. His family and political colleagues counseled him to refuse. The King urged him to accept, telling him that if Yorke were to refuse this time --- then the position would never again be offered.
On 17 Jan 1770, Yorke accepted the position of Lord Chancellor. He set out immediately for his brother's house to announce his action, but it was there that he found all of the leaders of the Opposition (the very men to whom he had pledged loyalty) in a meeting. After severe reproach and discussion, Yorke returned to his own house. The effect of his decision seems to have pushed his breaking health over the edge. He died three days later in the room with the Patent of Nobility that would raise him to the peerage. His last act, before his death, was to refuse himself the honor.
He was married twice, firstly to Catherine Freeman. They had one son, Philip Yorke, who became the 3rd Earl of Hardwicke. He married secondly, Agneta Johnson. They had three children.
He showed political promise from an early age, attended Cambridge University, was called to the Bar and entered Parliament at the age of 24.
The cause of his death, whether by natural causes or suicide, has been speculated upon since it happened in 1770, though it is most-likely that the rumor of suicide was spread by Walpole in his book, 'Memoirs of the Reign of George III'.
Yorke was offered the position of Lord Chancellor and the title 'Baron Morden.' This was a position that he had been trained for all his life, but he had pledged himself to the Opposition. In order to keep his word he would have to decline the offer. Yorke's health was already failing, and the pressure of the decision was too much. His family and political colleagues counseled him to refuse. The King urged him to accept, telling him that if Yorke were to refuse this time --- then the position would never again be offered.
On 17 Jan 1770, Yorke accepted the position of Lord Chancellor. He set out immediately for his brother's house to announce his action, but it was there that he found all of the leaders of the Opposition (the very men to whom he had pledged loyalty) in a meeting. After severe reproach and discussion, Yorke returned to his own house. The effect of his decision seems to have pushed his breaking health over the edge. He died three days later in the room with the Patent of Nobility that would raise him to the peerage. His last act, before his death, was to refuse himself the honor.
He was married twice, firstly to Catherine Freeman. They had one son, Philip Yorke, who became the 3rd Earl of Hardwicke. He married secondly, Agneta Johnson. They had three children.
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