Henry Bentinck, 1st Duke of Portland
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Henry Bentinck, 1st Duke of Portland (17 March 1682–4 July 1726), known as Viscount Woodstock from 1689 until 1709, was a British politician and colonial statesman.
Bentinck was the second, but eldest surviving, son of the 1st Earl of Portland. On 9 June 1704, he married Lady Elizabeth Noel (the eldest daughter and coheiress of the 2nd Earl of Gainsborough) at Chiswick and their seven children included:
- William, Viscount Woostock, later Marquess of Titchfield, later 2nd Duke of Portland (1738-1809)
- Lord George (1715-1759), soldier.
- Lady Anne (d. 1749), married Col. Daniel Paul.
- Lady Amelia Catharina (d. 1756), married Jacob van Wassenaer, Heer van Hazerswoude-Waddingsveen.
- Lady Isabella (d. 1783), married Henry Monck.
In 1705, Bentinck entered Parliament as MP for Southampton and held the seat until 1708, when he was returned for Hampshire. In 1709, he left the Commons for the Lords after inheriting his father's earldom, was appointed Colonel of the 1st Troop of Horse Guards a year later and elevated in the Peerage as Marquess of Titchfield and Duke of Portland in 1716.
In 1721, Portland accepted the post of Governor of Jamaica, which was a not a very prestigious post, but accepted by him nonetheless after losing a huge amount of money in the South Sea Bubble the previous year. He died in office in 1726 at Spanish Town and his body was returned to England for burial.
| Parliament of Great Britain | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Adam de Cardonnel and Frederick Tylney |
Member for Southampton with Adam de Cardonnel 1705–1708 |
Succeeded by Adam de Cardonnel and Simeon Stewart |
| Preceded by Thomas Jervoise and Richard Chaundler |
Member for Hampshire with Marquess of Winchester 1708–1709 |
Succeeded by Marquess of Winchester and Thomas Jervoise |
| Military Offices | ||
| Preceded by The Earl of Albemarle |
Colonel of the 1st Troop of Horse Guards 1710–1713 |
Succeeded by The Earl of Ashburnham |
| Government offices | ||
| Preceded by Sir Nicholas Lawes |
Governor of Jamaica 1722–1726 |
Succeeded by John Ayscough (acting) |
| Peerage of England | ||
| Preceded by William Bentinck |
Earl of Portland 1709–1726 |
Succeeded by William Bentinck |
| Peerage of Great Britain | ||
| Preceded by New title |
Duke of Portland 1716–1726 |
Succeeded by William Bentinck |
