Early Life
Sidney's father was Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester, a direct descendant of John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland and the great-nephew of Sir Philip Sidney. His mother was Dorothy Percy, daughter of Henry Percy, 9th Earl of Northumberland. Sidney was born at Baynard's Castle, London, and was raised at Penshurst Place in Kent. His mother wrote to her husband in November 1636 that she had heard her son "much comended by all that comes from you... a huge deall of witt and much sweetness of nature". After spending time in Ireland after his father was appointed Lord Lieutenant of that country, Sidney returned to England in 1643.
Read more about this topic: Algernon Sidney
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