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KEPPEL, George, Visct. Bury (1724-72).
Available from Boydell and Brewer
Biography Detail
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Constituency
Dates
Family and Education
b. 5 Apr. 1724, 1st s. William Anne, 2nd Earl of Albermarle, and bro. of Hon. Augustus and Hon. William Keppel. His sis. m. Francis Russell, Mq. of Tavistock. educ. Westminster 1732-40. m. 20 Apr. 1770, Anne, da. of Sir John Miller, 4th Bt., of Lavant, Suss. and sis. of Sir Thomas Miller, 5th Bt., 1s. suc. fa. as 3rd Earl 22 Dec. 1754; K.G. 26 Dec. 1765.
Offices Held
Ensign 2 Ft. Gds. 1738; capt.-lt. 1 Drag. 1741; capt. 2 Ft. Gds. 1743, lt.-col. 1745; col. 1749; col. 20 Ft. 1749-55; col. 3 Drag. 1755- d.; maj-gen. 1756; lt.-gen. 1759; gov. Jersey 1761- d.; c.-in-c. at capture of Havana 1762; gen. 1772.
Ld. of bedchamber to the Duke of Cumberland 1746-65; P.C. 28 Jan. 1761.
Biography
Bury sat for Chichester on the interest of the Duke of Richmond, and was a supporter of the Pelhams. After he had succeeded to the peerage he became an important political figure through his association with the Duke of Cumberland.
Horace Walpole describes him as Cumberland’s ‘chief favourite’.1 He served as Cumberland’s aide-de-camp at Dettingen, Fontenoy and Culloden; and was high in favour with George II. His father died deep in debt, and in a memorandum sent to Newcastle, 27 Dec. 1754, Bury wrote:2 ‘Lord Bury knows nothing that descends to him but a house at the Hague let for £200 per annum, and is not sure that it is not liable to his father’s debts.’ Cumberland supported his application for relief and he was given a pension of £800 p.a. on Ireland. He became rich by the capture of Havana, where his share of the prize money amounted to over £120,000.
After Henry Fox’s defection to the court in 1762 Albemarle, as Bury now was, became Cumberland’s political agent. He aided Cumberland in his attempt to construct a new Administration, May-July 1765, and on Cumberland’s death was entrusted by the King with the disposal of his papers. Henceforth he adhered to Rockingham and became one of his most trusted advisers. He died 13 Oct. 1772.
