Earl Amherst (/ˈæmərst/), of Arracan in the East Indies, was a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 19 December 1826 for William Amherst, 2nd Baron Amherst, the Governor-General of India. He was made Viscount Holmesdale, in the County of Kent, at the same time, also in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. Lord Amherst had succeeded his uncle Jeffrey Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst, as second Baron Amherst in 1797. The latter was a distinguished military commander best known as one of the victors of the French and Indian War. In 1776 he was raised to the Peerage of Great Britain as Baron Amherst, of Holmesdale in the County of Kent, with normal remainder to heirs male of his body. In 1788 he was created Baron Amherst, of Montreal in the County of Kent, also in the Peerage