born Jan. 12, 1800, London, Eng.
died June 27, 1870, London
British statesman.
After serving as British ambassador to Spain (183339), he held various cabinet posts until Lord Aberdeen named him secretary of state for foreign affairs in 1853. Clarendon failed to prevent the outbreak of the Crimean War , and his performance during it was undistinguished, but he secured favourable terms for Britain at the Congress of Paris (1856). He continued in office under Lord Palmerston until 1858 and also served as foreign secretary under Earl Russell (186566) and William E. Gladstone (186870).