Sir Paul Methuen was the son of John Methuen (c.1650-1706), Lord Chancellor of Ireland, and Mary, daughter of Seacole Chivers, of Comerford, Wilts. Sir Paul was born in 1672. He entered Diplomatic service in 1690, and held the following positions: envoy to Portugal 1697-1705, Minister at Turin in 1795, the Ambassador to Portugal 1706-1708, Lord of the Admiralty 1709, and of the Treasury 1714-1717, Ambassador to Spain and Morocco 1714, Privy Counsellor 1714, Secretary of State, 1716, Comptroller of the Household 1720, and Treasurer 1725-1730. He was made a Knight of Bath on 27 May, 1725, and was a Member of Parliament for Devizes 1708-1710, and for Brackley 1713-1747. He died unmarried on April 11, 1757, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. His collection of paintings and other works of art passed by bequest to his cousin and godson, Mr. Paul Methuen (1723-1795). The town of Methuen in the U.S. was so named to commemorate him. (taken from Burke's Peerage)