Earl of Liverpool is a title that has been created twice in British history. The first time was in the Peerage of Great Britain in 1796 for Charles Jenkinson, 1st Baron Hawkesbury, a favourite of King George III (see Jenkinson Baronets for earlier history of the family). He had already been made Baron Hawkesbury, of Hawkesbury in the County of Gloucester, in 1786, and succeeded as seventh Baronet of Walcot and Hawkesbury in 1790. His eldest son, the second Earl, served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1812 to 1827. The peerages became extinct in 1851 on the death of the latter's half-brother, the third Earl, while the baronetcy was inherited by a cousin (see Jenkinson Baronets).

The earldom was revived in 1905 in favour of the Liberal politician Cecil Foljambe, 1st Baron Hawkesbury, son of George Foljambe and his second wife Lady Selina Charlotte Jenkinson, daughter of the third Earl of the first creation. He was made Viscount Hawkesbury, of Kirkham in the County of York and of Mansfield in the County of Nottingham, at the same time, and had already been created Baron Hawkesbury, of Haselbech in the County of Northampton and of Ollerton, Sherwood Forest, in the County of Nottingham, in 1893. His eldest son, the second Earl, served as Governor-General of New Zealand between 1912 and 1920. As of 2010^[update] the titles are held by the latter's great-nephew, the fifth Earl, who succeeded his great-uncle, the fifth son of the first Earl, in 1969. He is the posthumous son of Captain Peter George William Savile Foljambe (1919-1944), who was killed in action in the Second World War, son of the Hon. Bertram Marmaduke Osbert Savile Foljambe (1891-1955), sixth son of the first Earl. Lord Liverpool is one of the ninety elected hereditary peers that remain in the House of Lords after the passing of the House of Lords Act 1999, and sits on the Conservative benches.

Liverpool ( /ˈlɪvəpuːl/) is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Liverpool was 445,200 and was part of a larger urban area of 816,216.

Historically a part of Lancashire, the urbanisation and expansion of Liverpool were both largely brought about by the city's status as a major port. By the 18th century, trade from the West Indies, Ireland and mainland Europe coupled with close links with the Atlantic Slave Trade furthered the economic expansion of Liverpool. By the early 19th century, 40% of the world's trade passed through Liverpool's docks, contributing to Liverpool's rise as a major city.

Inhabitants of Liverpool are referred to as Liverpudlians but are also colloquially known as "Scousers", in reference to the local dish known as "scouse", a form of stew. The word "Scouse" has also become synonymous with the Liverpool accent and dialect. Liverpool's status as a port city has contributed to its diverse population, which, historically, were drawn from a wide range of peoples, cultures, and religions, particularly those from Ireland. The city is also home to the oldest Black African community in the country and the oldest Chinese community in Europe.