John Edward Pelham, 7th Earl of Yarborough was born on 2 June 1920. He was the son of Marcus Herbert Pelham, 6th Earl of Yarborough and Hon. Pamela Douglas-Pennant. He married Florence Ann Petronel Upton, daughter of John Herbert Upton and Petronel Fursdon, on 12 December 1957.2 He died on 21 March 1991 at age 70.
He was educated at Eton College, Windsor, Berkshire, England.2 He graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge University, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, in 1940 with a Bachelor of Arts He gained the rank of Major in the Grenadier Guards.2 He fought in the Second World War.2 He held the office of High Sheriff of Lincolnshire in 1964.2 He held the office of Vice-Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire between 1964 and 1991.2 He succeeded as the 7th Earl of Yarborough on 2 December 1966.3 He succeeded as the 8th Baron Yarborough, of Yarborough, Lincolnshire on 2 December 1966.3 He succeeded as the 7th Baron Worsley, of Appuldurcombe, in the Isle of Wight on 2 December 1966