 In 1826 the Villa Pignatelli was built for him at San Giorgio a Cremano near Naples, a neo-classical residence that formed the centrepiece of a park.On 9 July 1832 he married Marie Louise Pelina von Dalberg, only surviving child of Emmerich Joseph, duc de Dalberg; they had one child, John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton (1834–1902).Baptised Ferdinand Richard Edward Acton, on 20 December 1833 his name was legally changed to Ferdinand Richard Edward Dalberg-Acton by Royal Licence.