| The Viscount Torrington | |
|---|---|
Pattee Byng by Sir Godfrey Kneller |
|
| Born | 25 May 1699 Wrotham, Kent |
| Died | 23 Jan 1747 Southill, Bedfordshire |
| Allegiance | Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Service/branch | Army |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Royal Horse Guards |
| Relations | Admiral The Hon. John Byng John Byng, 1st Earl of Strafford |
Pattee Byng, 2nd Viscount Torrington,[1] PC (25 May 1699-23 Jan 1747), was a British naval officer and statesman of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. His career included service as Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard during the reign of King George II.
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Byng was the eldest son of George Byng, 1st Viscount Torrington and Margaret Master. From 1715-1718 he served in the British Army as a Cornet before becoming a Captain from 1716-18.
He resigned from the Army due to his father's elevation to Viscount Torrington and succeeded him as the Member of Parliament for Plymouth (1721–1727). He also served as MP for Bedfordshire (1727–1733).
In 1724 whilst serving as the MP for Plymouth, he became the Treasurer of the Navy (1724–1734) and from 1727-1733 served alongside his father, who had become the First Lord of the Admiralty, until his father's death when Byng succeeded to the Torrington viscouncy. During this time in 1732 he became a Privy Councillor and a Commissioner of Greenwich Hospital.
In 1734 upon taking his seat in the House of Lords he was given the position of Vice Treasurer and Paymaster General of Ireland and by 1746, he became the Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard. He served in both positions until his death.
On the 11th of June 1724, Byng married Lady Charlotte Montagu, 4th daughter of Charles Montagu, 1st Duke of Manchester and The Hon. Dodington Greville. They had two children:
His wife later became a Lady of the Bedchamber to Augusta, Princess of Wales (1736–1739 & 1742–1759)[2]
Byng died on the 23 January 1747, he was survived by his wife who died herself on 14 September 1759.
Having died without issue his title passed to his younger brother George, who became the 3rd Viscount.
| Preceded by Sir John Rogers Sir George Byng |
Member of Parliament for Plymouth 1721–1727 With: Charles Trelawny to 1721 William Richard Chetwynd 1721–1727 |
Succeeded by Arthur Stert George Treby |
| Preceded by The Hon. Charles Leigh |
Member of Parliament for Bedfordshire 1727–1733 With: Sir Rowald Alston, 4th Baronet |
Succeeded by The Hon. Charles Leigh Sir Rowald Alston, 4th Baronet |
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by George Byng, 1st Viscount Torrington |
Treasurer of the Navy 1724–1734 |
Succeeded by Arthur Onslow |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by John Berkeley, 5th Baron Berkeley of Stratton |
Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard 1746–1747 |
Succeeded by Hugh Boscawen, 2nd Viscount Falmouth |
| Peerage of Great Britain | ||
| Preceded by George Byng, 1st Viscount Torrington |
Viscount Torrington 1733–1747 |
Succeeded by George Byng, 3rd Viscount Torrington |