Charles FitzRoy, 2nd Duke of Grafton
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Charles FitzRoy, 2nd Duke of Grafton PC (25 October 1683–6 May 1757) was an Irish and English politician.
He was born to Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton and Isabella Bennet, 2nd Countess of Arlington. His father was an illegitimate son of Charles II of England and Barbara Villiers, 1st Duchess of Cleveland.
Fitzroy inherited his father's peerages on 9 October 1690. He was Lord High Steward at King George I's coronation. He became a Privy Counsellor in 1715 and a Knight of the Garter in 1721. He also served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1720 to 1724 and Lord Chamberlain from 1724 until his death. In 1739 he supported the creation of what was to become one of London's most notable charities, the Foundling Hospital. He sat on that charity's original Court of Governors with such fellow Governors as the Duke of Bedford, Lord Vere and the Lord Mayor of London.
He married Lady Henrietta Somerset, daughter of Charles Somerset, Marquess of Worcester and Rebecca Child; they had seven children:
- Charles Henry FitzRoy, Earl of Euston (13 April 1714 - 18 December 1715).
- George FitzRoy, Earl of Euston (24 August 1715 - 7 July 1747). He was married to Lady Dorothy Boyle. No known descendants
- Augustus FitzRoy (16 October 1716 - 24 May 1741). He was married to Elizabeth Cosby, daughter of Colonel William Cosby who served as a colonial Governor of New York. They were parents to Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton and Charles FitzRoy, 1st Baron Southampton.
- Charles FitzRoy (23 April 1718 - 29 July 1739).
- Lady Caroline Fitzroy (8 April 1722 - 26 June 1784). She married William Stanhope, 2nd Earl of Harrington. They were parents to Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl of Harrington and other six children.
- Lady Harriet FitzRoy (8 June 1723 - August, 1735).
- Lady Isabella FitzRoy (1726 - 10 November 1782). She married Francis Seymour-Conway, 1st Marquess of Hertford. They were parents to Francis Seymour-Conway, 2nd Marquess of Hertford and other eleven children. They were ancestors of Diana, Princess of Wales.
The Duke also fathered an illegitimate son, Charles FitzRoy-Scudamore.
[edit] Notable daughter-in law
His second son George Fitzroy, Earl of Euston was married to Lady Dorothy Boyle, daughter of Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington and Lady Dorothy Saville. Dorothy was daughter of William Savile, 2nd Marquess of Halifax and Mary Finch.
Mary was daughter of Daniel Finch, 2nd Earl of Nottingham and Lady Essex Rich. Essex was daughter of Robert Rich, 3rd Earl of Warwick and Anne Cheeke. Anne was daughter of Sir Thomas Cheeke of Pirgo and a senior Essex Rich.
The elder Essex was daughter of Robert Rich, 1st Earl of Warwick and Penelope Devereux, Lady Rich. Essex was probably named after her maternal grandfather Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex. Her maternal grandmother was Lettice Knollys.
[edit] References
- R.H. Nichols and F A. Wray, The History of the Foundling Hospital (London: Oxford University Press, 1935).
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| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by The Duke of Bolton |
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 1720–1724 |
Succeeded by The Lord Carteret |
| Preceded by The Duke of Newcastle |
Lord Chamberlain 1724–1757 |
Succeeded by The 4th Duke of Devonshire |
| Honorary titles | ||
| Vacant
Title last held by
The 1st Duke of Devonshire |
Lord High Steward 1714 |
Vacant
Title next held by
The Lord Cowper |
| Preceded by The Earl of Dysart |
Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk 1705–1757 |
Succeeded by The Duke of Grafton |
| Vice-Admiral of Suffolk 1705–1757 |
Vacant
Title next held by
The Marquess of Hertford |
|
| Peerage of England | ||
| Preceded by Henry FitzRoy |
Duke of Grafton 1690–1757 |
Succeeded by Augustus FitzRoy |
| Preceded by Isabella Bennett |
Earl of Arlington 1723–1757 |
|
