George Booth, 2nd Earl of Warrington

The house that stands today was built in the 1730s by George Booth, 2nd Earl of Warrington. At 19 he inherited a debt-ridden estate and a house in poor condition and dedicated his life to restoring its fortunes. He married a wealthy merchant’s daughter for her dowry, but the match was loveless and very unhappy. He began the reconstruction of the hall in around 1715, creating an unpretentious modern home and his shrewd investments included the purchase of exceptional quality silver, fine furniture and paintings. He planted thousands of trees in the park in the design which remains today. Dunham was left to George’s only child, Mary, who had a happy marriage to Harry Grey, 4th Earl of Stamford.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey/history/article-13558...

He was styled as Lord Delamer between 1690 and 1694.1 He succeeded as the 2nd Earl of Warrington, co. Lancaster [E., 1690] on 2 January 1694.1 He succeeded as the 4th Baronet Booth, of Dunham Massey, co. Chester [E., 1611] on 2 January 1693/94.1 He succeeded as the 3rd Baron Delamer of Dunham Massey, co. Chester [E., 1661] on 2 January 1693/94.

On his death, the Earldom of Warrington became extinct.1 He has an extensive biographical entry in the Dictionary of National Biography.5