Preceded by Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough |
Duke of Marlborough 1758-1817 |
Succeeded by George Spencer-Churchill, 5th Duke of Marlborough |
George Spencer was born 26 January 1738/39, the eldest son of Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough, and his wife Hon. Elizabeth Trevor. George was known by the courtesy title of Marquess of Blandford from birth, and was baptised at St James', Piccadilly.[1]
He was educated at Eton 1747-1753 and then entered the army; appointed as Ensign of the Coldstream Guards 14 June 1755, and Captain of 20th Foot on 12 June 1756.[1];
He succeeded his father as the 4th Duke of Marlborough in 1758 and took his seat in the House of Lords on 8 February 1760. He was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire the same year.[1]
He married on 23 August 1762 at Bedford House, St Georges, Bloomsbury, London, Lady Caroline Russell, daughter of John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford, and his second wife, Lady Gertrude Leveson-Gower.[1]
They had eight children:[2]
The Duchess of Marlborough died at Blenheim Palace on 26 November 1811, aged 68 and was buried there the 2 December that year. The Duke of Marlborough died suddenly at Blenheim Palace on 29 January 1817, aged 78, and was buried there 7 Feb 1817.
4th Duke of Marlborough 20 Oct 1758
6th Earl of Sunderland 20 Oct 1758
4th Baron of Sandridge, Hertford 20 Oct 1758-1817
8th Baron of Wormleighton 20 Oct 1758
4th Marquess of Blandford 20 Oct 1758
Lord Chamberlain of the Household 1762-1763
Privy Counsellor 22 Nov 1762
Lord Privy Seal 1763-1765
High Steward of New Woodstock 15 Oct 1766
Knight of the Garter 12 Dec 1768
Biography: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Spencer,_4th_Duke_of_Marlborough
from Cockayne's 'The Complete Peerage':
"His Grace is said to be a nobleman of great worth, generous, humane and hospitable, no abject courtier, yet a lover of peace, and an enemy to faction."1 The Farington Diaries states that "though nervous in the extreme and reserved, he possesses a great deal of humour."
Wikipedia
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Categories: Knights Companion of the Garter, George III creation | Dukes of Marlborough | British Notables | Notables