, third and youngest son of sir Robert Walpole, first earl of Orford,
, third and youngest son of sir
Robert Walpole, first earl of Orford, by his first wife
Catherine Shorter, was born in 1718, and received the
early part of his education at Eton, where he first became
known to the celebrated Mr. Gray, whose friendship at
that early period he cultivated, and whose esteem and re^
gard he retained, until the difference arose between them
which we have noticed in our account of that celebrated
poet. From Eton he went to KingVcollege, Cambridge;
but, according to the practice of men of rank and fortune
at that time, left the university without taking any degree.
While there he wrote “Verses in Memory of King Henry
the Sixth, founder of the college,
” which are dated Feb. 2,
1738, and are probably the first production of his pen.
In the same year he was appointed inspector-general of
the exports and imports; a place which he soon after exchanged for that of usher of the exchequer. To these
were added the post of comptroller of the pipe and clerk
of the estreats; all which he held unto his death.