Family and Education

b. 18 Mar. 1701, o.s. of Charles, 1st Duke of Richmond, by Anne, da. of Francis, Lord Brudenell, wid. of Henry, 2nd Baron Belasyse of Worlaby. educ. Grand Tour (Holland, France, Vienna, Italy) 1719-20. m. 4 Dec. 1719, Lady Sarah Cadogan, da. and coh. of William Cadogan, 1st Earl Cadogan, 4s. 8da. suc. fa. as 2nd Duke 27 May 1723; gd.-m. Duchess of Portsmouth as Duke of Aubigny 14 Nov. 1734; K.B. 27 May 1725; K.G. 26 May 1726.

Offices Held

Guidon 1 tp. Life Gds. 1721; capt. 1 Horse Gds. 1722; a.-d.-c. to the King 1724-32; col. 1724; brig.-gen. 1739; maj.-gen. 1742; lt.-gen. 1745; gen. 1745; col. 1 Horse Gds. 1750-d.

Ld. of the bedchamber to the King 1726-35; ld. high constable 1727; master of the horse 1735-d.; P.C. 9 Jan. 1735; mayor, Chichester 1735; e. bro Trinity House 1737-d., master 1741-5: ambassador to France 1748-9; high steward, Chichester 1749.

Biography

At the age of 18 Lord March was married to the 13 year old daughter of the 1st Earl Cadogan to cancel a gambling debt between their parents. Leaving immediately after the marriage for his grand tour, he did not meet his bride again until he returned in 1722, when, seeing her at the theatre without recognising her, he at once fell in love with her.1 Returned on the Goodwood interest in 1722, he succeeded to the dukedom a year later. As Duke of Richmond he took an active part in Sussex elections, always recommending one of the Members for Chichester, of which he was the patron; unsucessfully attempting to develop an interest at Arundel and New Shoreham; and vigorously supporting his friend the Duke of Newcastle in the county. His frequent letters to Newcastle bear out Hervey’s description of him:2

Friendly, benevolent, generous, honourable and thoroughly noble in his way of acting, talking and thinking; he had constant spirits, was very entertaining, and had a great deal of knowledge.

He died 8 Aug. 1750.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Paula Watson

Notes

• 1. C. Lennox, A Duke and his Friends, i. 34-35, 58.
• 2. Mems. 252.