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Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury

1652 – 1699

English politician and Earl

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About Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury

Lived 1652 – 1699 (aged 47). Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury was an English politician.

Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury (16 January 1652 – 2 November 1699), known as Lord Ashley from 1672 to 1683, was an English peer and Member of Parliament.

Shaftesbury was the son of Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury, and Lady Frances Cecil. He was elected to the House of Commons for Weymouth and Melcombe Regis in 1673, a seat he held until 1679. In 1683 he succeeded his father in the earldom and entered the House of Lords.

Lord Shaftesbury married Lady Dorothy Manners, daughter of John Manners, 8th Earl of Rutland, in 1669. He died in November 1699, aged 47, and was succeeded in his titles by his son Anthony, who became a noted philosopher and writer.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Positions held
Member of Parliament in the Parliament of England, Member of the 1661-79 Parliament, Member of the 1679 Parliament

People in Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury?

English politician and Earl

When was Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury born?

Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury was born on 16 January 1652 in Wimborne St Giles.

When did Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury die?

Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury died on 2 November 1699 in Wimborne St Giles.

What was Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury's occupation?

Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury was a politician.

What nationality was Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury?

Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury was English.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury

· Wikidata: Q4772027

· DBpedia: Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury. https://biography.guide/anthony-ashley-cooper-2nd-earl-of-shaftesbury/

MLA: "Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/anthony-ashley-cooper-2nd-earl-of-shaftesbury/.

Chicago: "Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 2nd Earl of Shaftesbury." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/anthony-ashley-cooper-2nd-earl-of-shaftesbury/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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