Henry Howard Molyneux Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon, known as Lord Porchester (1833-1849), was born on June 24, 1831, in London, England.

He was a British politician and a leading member of the Conservative Party. He was twice Secretary of State for the Colonies and served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. He was educated at Eton College. In 1849, he succeeded his father in the earldom. He started his political career with a speech in the House of Lords in 1854. In 1863, he worked on penal reform and many of his ideas were implemented in the Prisons Act 1866. In 1866, he was sworn of the Privy Council and appointed Secretary of State for the Colonies. In 1867, he introduced the British North America Act, which conferred self-government on Canada, and created a federation. In 1874, he returned to the office of the British colonial secretary where he settled various disputes within the colonies. From 1885 to 1886, he served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. He was regarded as a highly cultured man and was a president and a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and a Fellow of the Royal Society as well as high steward of Oxford University.

In 1861, he married Lady Evelyn Stanhope (1834–1875). In 1878, he married Elizabeth Catherine Howard (1856–1929). He died on June 29, 1890, in London, England.