Brownlow Cecil, 2nd Marquess of Exeter

Exeter was the eldest son of Henry Cecil, 1st Marquess of Exeter, and his second wife Sarah, daughter of Thomas Hoggins. His mother died shortly before his second birthday and in 1804 he succeeded to the marquessate, aged eight, on the death of his father.[2]

A keen cricketer who was associated with Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), prior to his political career he appeared in a first-class match in 1817 for W. Ward's XI against E. H. Budd's XI at Lord's.[3] He made scores of 1 and 4 not out in the match.[4]

Exeter held office in the first two Tory administrations of the Earl of Derby, first as Lord Chamberlain of the Household between February[5] and December 1852,[6] and later as Lord Steward of the Household from 1858[7] to 1859.[8] Apart from his political career, he was also Lord Lieutenant of Rutland between 1826 and 1867 and of Northamptonshire between 1842 and 1867,[9] and Groom of the Stole to the Prince Consort between 1841[10] and 1846. He was made a Knight of the Garter in 1827[11] and admitted to the Privy Council in 1841.[12]

Arms of Cecil with inescutcheon of pretence of Poyntz, St Martin's Church, Stamford

Lord Exeter married Isabella Poyntz, one of the two daughters and co-heiresses of William Stephen Poyntz, on 12 May 1824. They had seven children:

• William Alleyne Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Exeter (1825–1895)
• Colonel Lord Brownlow Thomas Montague Cecil (1827–1905)
• Lady Mary Frances Cecil (1832–1917), married Dudley Ryder, 3rd Earl of Harrowby
• Commander Lord Edward Henry Cecil (1834–1862)
• Lord Henry Poyntz Cecil (1837–1858)
• Lord Adelbert Percy Cecil (1841–1889), member of the Plymouth Brethren[13]
• Lady Victoria Cecil (1843–1932), married William Charles Evans-Freke, 8th Baron Carbery

Lord Exeter died in January 1867, aged 71, and was succeeded in his titles by his eldest son William. The Marchioness of Exeter died in March 1879, aged 76.[2]

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by the Marquess of Exeter