An important government official, Hervey was known for his staunch court whig politics and support of Robert Walpole. His politics, as well as his scandalous personal life (he was bisexual and rumored to have had affairs with Lady Mary, Princess Caroline, Francisco Algarotti, and Prince Frederick), were ammunition for Pope's scathing satire. In his poem "Verses address'd to the imitator of Horace", Hervey attempted to attack Pope back, though Hervey's poetical skills were admittedly lesser. Politics often features in both his prose and poetic works. Hervey's political career dissolved along with the fall of Walpole in 1742.