Lord Shaftesbury, the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury, was Anthony Ashley-Cooper (1801-1885)

Lord Shaftesbury was born in Grosvenor Square in London on 28 April 1801. He was born Anthony Ashley Cooper, and became the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury.

Nicholas Ashley-Cooper, 12th Earl of Shaftesbury, inherited the title from his brother on 15 May 2005 and is the current incumbent. His famous ancestor, Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury was born 28 April 1801 and died 1 October 1885. The 7th Earl was a prominent politician, philanthropist and a proponent of Christian Zionism.

The rivers were named for Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury. He was also the chief Lord Proprietor of the Carolina Colony.

Anthony Ashley Cooper, Earl of Shaftesbury (1621-1683)