Philip Sherard, 5th Earl of Harborough

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.^[2][3] 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.^[2] On 26 February 1797, he was appointed a deputy lieutenant of Leicestershire.^[1]

Philip became Earl of Harborough in 1799 in succession to his father, but was no more conspicuous in the Lords than he had been in the Commons.^[2]

On 4 July 1791, Sherard married Eleanor Monckton (1772–1809), daughter of Col. Hon. John Monckton of Fineshade Abbey and granddaughter of John Monckton, 1st Viscount Galway.^[4] They had one son and six daughters, including:^[2]

• Lady Lucy Eleanor Sherard (1792–1848), who married Henry Lowther, the second son of William Lowther, 1st Earl of Lonsdale,^[5] in 1817.^[4]
• Lady Anna Maria Sherard (1794–1848), who married William Cuffe in 1818.^[4]
• Lady Sophia Sherard (1795–1851), who married Sir Thomas Whichcote, 6th Baronet in 1812 and subsequently William Evans-Freke, 8th Baron Carbery in 1840.^[4]
• Robert Sherard, 6th Earl of Harborough (1797–1859)^[4]
• Lady Jane Sherard (1799–1856)^[4]
• Lady Charlotte Sherard (1801–1856), who became insane in 1825.^[4]
• Lady Susan Sherard (1802–1864), who married General John Reeve, of Leadenham House, in 1821.^[4]

He died in December 1807 and was succeeded by his son Robert.^[1]

Through his daughter, Lady Lucy, he was a grandfather of seven, including Henry Lowther, 3rd Earl of Lonsdale,^[5] and diplomat William Lowther.^[6]