William Compton, 1st Earl of Northampton

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For other persons named William Compton, see William Compton (disambiguation).

William Compton, 1st Earl of Northampton KG (d. 24 June 1630), known as Lord Compton from 1589 to 1618, was an English peer.

Northampton was the son of Henry Compton, 1st Baron Compton, and Frances Anne Hastings. His maternal grandparents were Francis Hastings, 2nd Earl of Huntingdon and Catherine Pole. Catherine was a daughter of Henry Pole, 1st Baron Montagu and Jane Neville. Jane was in turn a daughter of George Nevill, 4th Baron Bergavenny and Margaret Fenne.

He notably served as Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire and of Gloucestershire and as Lord President of the Marches and of the Dominion of Wales. In 1618 he was created Earl of Northampton.

Lord Northampton married Elizabeth Spencer, a daughter of the Lord Mayor of London, Sir John Spencer, in 1594. Their children included :

Anne Compton (d. 1675), married Ulrick Bourke, 1st Marquess of Clanricarde; no issue.
Spencer Compton, 2nd Earl of Northampton (1601–1643)

Political offices
Preceded by Vacant	Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire 1603–1630	Succeeded by The Earl of Northampton
Preceded by The Lord Chandos	Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire 1622–1630	Succeeded by The Earl of Northampton
Preceded by The Lord Gerard	Lord Lieutenant of Anglesey, Brecknockshire, Caernarvonshire, Carmarthenshire, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Herefordshire, Merionethshire, Montgomeryshire, Pembrokeshire, Radnorshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire 1617–1630	Succeeded by The Earl of Bridgewater
Preceded by Sir John Lewis	Custos Rotulorum of Cardiganshire 1626–1630	Succeeded by Lord Vaughan
Peerage of England
Preceded by Henry Compton	Baron Compton 1589–1630	Succeeded by Spencer Compton
Preceded by New creation	Earl of Northampton 1618–1630	Succeeded by Spencer Compton