Frederick William Hervey (1769-1859) was elevated to the Marquessate of Bristol in 1826. Prior to that he was known as the Earl of Bristol, having succeeded his father, Frederick Hervey, 4th Earl of Bristol, in 1803. Although he was the younger son, his elder brother died during their father’s lifetime. His father was Bishop of Derry for many years.
Hervey was admitted to St John’s College, Cambridge in 1786, and from 1801-3 served as Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in the Tory administration of Henry Addington. He married Elizabeth Albana (1775–1844), daughter of Clotworthy Upton, 1st Baron Templetown and Elizabeth Upton, Baroness Templetown, by whom he had two daughters and six sons.