It was created in 1963 for the barrister Sir Malcolm Eve, 1st Baronet.
In 1833 he succeeded his aunt as second Earl de Grey according to a special remainder and also inherited the Wrest Park estate in Silsoe, Bedfordshire.
Silsoe lived near Reading, Berkshire and was an active member of the congregation at All Saints Church, Rotherfield Peppard, acting as volunteer "taxi driver" for a number of infirm or learning disabled parishioners and serving for some years on the Parochial Church Council.
He is the eldest son of the publisher Rupert Hart-Davis and the brother of television broadcaster and author Adam Hart-Davis and Bridget, the dowager Lady Silsoe.