Sidney, 1st Earl of Godolphin, facing right in breastplate, blue coat and white cravat, full bottomed curling powdered wig

Sidney, 1st Earl of Godolphin (1645-1712), English statesman was born in Godolphin Hall, near Helston. He became a Royal page in 1662, entered Parliament in 1668, visited Holland in 1678 and in 1684 was made head of the Treasury and Baron Godolphin. On William III's landing in 1688, Godolphin supported James II and was sent with Halifax and Nottingham to negotiate with William. When James's fight was known, he voted for a regency. In February 1689, William reinstated him as first commissioner of the Treasury. Godolphin was a Tory; and when William began to replace his Tory ministers by Whigs, Godolphin went in 1696. On her accession, Anne made him sole Lord High Treasurer and in 1706, he was created Earl.
He married Margaret Blagge (1652-1678) and their only son, Francis, married Henrietta, daughter of the Duke of Churchill in 1698. His able management of the finances furnished Marlborough the supplies needed for his campaigns without increasing the public debt by more than one million annually. To prevent his own overthrow, he constrained Anne to dismiss Harley but the influence of Harley's friend and relative Mrs Masham continued to increase and Godolphin was dismissed in 1710.

The daughter of Henry (brother of Sidney) Godolphin, D.D., Dean of St. Paul's and Provost of Eton's, Mary, sister and sole heiress-at-law of last Lord Godolphin of Helston married William Owen of Porkington, Clenneney, Glyn and Llanddyn and died with issue.