Family and Education

b. 26 Jan. 1744, 1st surv. s. of John, 4th Earl of Sandwich, by Hon. Dorothy Fane, da. of Charles, 1st Visct. Fane [I]. educ. Eton 1753-8. m. (1) 1 Mar. 1766, Lady Elizabeth Montagu (d. 1 July 1768), da. and h. of George, 2nd Earl of Halifax, 1s. 1da.; (2) 25 Apr. 1772, Lady Mary Powlett, da. and coh. of Harry Powlett^†, 6th Duke of Bolton, 2s. 2da. suc. fa. as 5th Earl of Sandwich 30 Apr. 1792.

Offices Held

Cornet, 15 Drag. 1759; lt. and capt. 3 Ft. Gds. 1761; ret. 1767.

Vice-chamberlain of the Household Feb. 1771-Mar. 1782; PC 6 Feb. 1771; master of the buckhounds May 1783-Feb. 1806; ranger of Swinley until Feb. 1806; jt. postmaster-gen. 1807-d.

Recorder, Huntingdon 1792-d.

Biography

Hinchingbrooke continued to sit for the county on the family interest until his father’s death. ‘If,’ wrote Wraxall pompously, ‘he fell far below his father in ability, application, and talents for public business, he possessed greater private virtues.’ A courtier and placeman, he gave a silent support to Pitt’s administration, which his father opposed. In 1791 he was listed among opponents of the repeal of the Test Act in Scotland. He was later deprived of his sinecure by the Grenville ministry, but provided with another by their successors. He died 6 June 1814.

Wraxall Mems. ed. Wheatley, iii. 56.

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Author: R. G. Thorne

Notes