Family and Education

b. 25 June 1737, 2nd surv. s. of Lord Augustus Fitzroy, and bro. of Augustus Henry, Earl of Euston. m. 27 July 1758, Anne, da. and coh. of Adm. Sir Peter Warren, M.P., of Warrenstown, co. Meath, 9s. 7da.  cr. Baron Southampton 17 Oct. 1780.

Offices Held

Ensign 1 Ft. Gds. 1752, lt. and capt. 1756, capt. and lt.-col. 1758; served in Germany as aide-de-camp to Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick 1759-62; col. 119 Ft. 1762-3; 14 Drag. 1765-72; 3 Drag. 1772- d.; maj.-gen. 1772; lt.-gen. 1777; gen. 1793.

Groom of the bedchamber 1760-2; vice-chamberlain to the Queen 1768-82; groom of the stole to the Prince of Wales 1780- d.

Biography

Fitzroy was returned for Orford on the Government interest, but played no part in politics until 1762 when, on his return from Germany, he resigned his place at court and joined his brother in opposition. During the negotiations between Cumberland and Pitt in May 1765 he was Grafton’s intermediary with Pitt; and he was appointed to a regiment by the Rockingham Administration.

Naturally he supported the Chatham-Grafton Administration, and became vice-chamberlain to the Queen in 1768, but in 1770 refused the office of vice-chamberlain to the King.1 Hitherto he had always followed Grafton, but now began to go his own way; and after 1775, when Grafton resigned and reverted to Opposition, Fitzroy continued to support North and in 1780 was rewarded with a peerage.

He died 21 Mar. 1797.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: John Brooke

Notes

• 1. Fortescue, ii. 128-9.