John Waldegrave, 3rd Earl Waldegrave

John Waldegrave, 3rd Earl Waldegrave (28 April 1718 – 22 October 1784) was a British politician and soldier.

Waldegrave was the youngest son of the 1st Earl Waldegrave. He joined the 1st Regiment of Foot in 1735, rising to the rank of Captain in 1739. He became a Lieutenant-Colonel in the 3rd Regiment of Foot in 1743 and fought at the Battle of Fontenoy where he was wounded in 1745.

Seven Years War
He became an Member of Parliament (MP) 1747 and continued his military career alongside his political one, becoming a Major General in 1757 and fought at the Battle of Minden in 1759, became a Lieutenant-General that year and fought at the Battle of Warburg in 1760. He later became a General in 1772.

Waldegrave was a Groom of the Bedchamber from 1760–63 and upon the death of his elder brother without male-heirs in 1763, Waldegrave inherited his titles. On 7 May 1751, he had married Lady Elizabeth Leveson-Gower, a younger daughter of the 1st Earl Gower and they had four children:


 * Hon. George Waldegrave (1751–1789)
 * Hon. William Waldegrave (1753–1825)
 * Lady Elizabeth Waldegrave (1758–1823)
 * Lady Caroline Waldegrave (1765–1831)