After taking his degree at Oxford he began to play a prominent part in the deliberation of the House of Lords. In 1858, he was under secretary for the colonies, and in 1866 secretary of state. In 1867 he introduced British North America Act; but he resigned over Benjamin Disraeli's Reform Bill before the measure became law.
Resuming office in 1874, he endeavoured to confer a similar boon on South Africa, but the times were not ripe. In 1878 he resigned in opposition to Lord Beaconsfield's policy on the Eastern question; but on his party's return to power in 1885 he became Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. His short period of office, memorable for a conflict on a question of personal veracity between himself and Parnell as to his negotiations with the latter in respect of Home Rule, was terminated by another premature resignation. He never returned to office. As a statesman his career was marred by extreme sensitiveness; but he was beloved as a man of worth and admired as a man of culture. He was high steward of the university of Oxford, and president of the Society of Antiquaries.
| Preceded by: Henry John George Herbert | Earls of Carnarvon | Followed by: George Edward Stanhope Molyneux Herbert |