Philip Sherard, 5th Earl of Harborough

Philip Sherard, 5th Earl of Harborough (10 October 1767 – 10 December 1807), styled Lord Sherard from 1770 to 1799, was a British peer and politician.

Early life Sherard was the eldest son of Robert Sherard, 4th Earl of Harborough and his wife Jane Reeve.

He was educated at Harrow School in 1780 and Clare College, Cambridge in 1786.

Career Upon the death of John Heathcote in 1795, Lord Sherard was chosen by the Earls of Exeter and Gainsborough as a suitable representative for Rutland. (Gainsborough's interest was represented by his first cousin Gerard Edwardes; Exeter lacked suitable relatives to occupy the seat.) Sherard's father had a minor electoral interest in Rutland, and Sir Gilbert Heathcote, 4th Baronet, who was also interested in the position, was in any case debarred that year by being High Sheriff of Rutland. Sherard was not active in Parliament and stood down at the 1796 British general election; Heathcote took a seat at Lincolnshire, while Sir William Lowther stood together with Edwardes. They had one son and six daughters, including: in 1817.