Piers Alexander Hamilton Edgcumbe, 5th Earl of Mount Edgcumbe DL (1865–1944), was a soldier who served in the South African War with distinction. He was the son of William Henry Edgcumbe, 4th Earl of Mount Edgcumbe by his first wife, Lady Katherine Hamilton, fourth daughter of James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Abercorn and his wife, Lady Louisa Russell. Educated at Oxford University and a keen horseman, he was part of the varsity polo team playing against Cambridge in 1885–1887.