| Admiral Sir Augustus Clifford, Bt CB |
|
|---|---|
| Augustus Clifford Clifford depicted as Black Rod in Vanity Fair | |
| Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod | |
| In office 25 July 1832 – 8 February 1877 |
|
| Monarch | William IV Victoria |
| Preceded by | Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt |
| Succeeded by | Sir William Knollys |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Augustus William James Clifford 26 May 1788 |
| Died | 8 February 1877 (aged 88) Palace of Westminster Westminster, Middlesex United Kingdom |
| Spouse(s) | Lady Elizabeth Frances Townshend (1813-1862; her death) |
| Relations | The Duke of Devonshire (Father) Lady Elizabeth Foster (Mother) |
| Children | William John Cavendish Clifford |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1800-1866 |
| Rank | Admiral of the Red |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath |
Admiral Sir Augustus William James Clifford, 1st Baronet, CB, MP (1788–1877) was a British Royal Navy officer, court official, and usher of the Black Rod.
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Clifford was born abroad on 26 May 1788, the illegitimate son of William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire (1748–1811), and Lady Elizabeth Foster (1759–1824), and educated at Harrow. He entered the Royal Navy as a midshipman in May 1800, and was promoted to a lieutenancy in 1806. He served at the reduction of Ste. Lucie and Tobago in 1803, and throughout the operations in Egypt during 1807. He was at the capture of a convoy in the Bay of Rosas in 1809 (for which he received a medal) and in the operations on the coast of Italy 1811–12.
After this, as captain[1], he was for many years actively employed in naval duties, being several times mentioned in the London Gazette for his courage in cutting-out expeditions and on other occasions. For some time he was engaged in attendance on the Lord High Admiral, the Duke of Clarence, afterwards William IV, and in 1828 he took out Lord William Bentinck as governor-general to India. This was his last service afloat, and he was not actively employed after 1831.
He obtained the rank of rear-admiral 23 Mar. 1848 [2], vice-admiral 27 Sep. 1855[3], Admiral of the Blue 7 Nov. 1860, and Admiral of the Red 1864, becoming retired admiral 31 March 1866.
He was Member of Parliament for Bandon 1818–20; for Dungarvan, 1820–2; and again for Bandon from 23 July 1831 to 3 Dec. 1832. He was nominated a C.B. 8 December 1815, knighted 4 August 1830, and created a baronet 4 August 1838. His halfbrother, the Duke of Devonshire, then Lord Chamberlain, appointed him on 25 July 1832 Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, which office he held, much to his satisfaction, until his death. On various occasions between 1843 and 1866 he acted as deputy lord great chamberlain of England, in the absence of Lord Willoughby d'Eresby.
He died at his residence in the House of Lords 8 February 1877.
He married, on 20 October 1813, Lady Elizabeth Frances Townshend (2 August 1789 - 10 April 1862 Nice), sister of John, fourth marquess of Townshend. Captain William John Cavendish Clifford, R.N., succeeded his father as second baronet.
Clifford was a patron of the arts, and formed a unique collection of paintings, sculpture, etchings, engravings, and bijouterie.
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by William Sturges Bourne |
Member of Parliament for Bandon 1818 – 1820 |
Succeeded by James Bernard, Viscount Bernard |
| Preceded by George Walpole |
Member of Parliament for Dungarvan 1820 – 1822 |
Succeeded by George Lamb |
| Preceded by Francis Bernard, Viscount Bernard |
Member of Parliament for Bandon 1831 – 1832 |
Succeeded by William Smyth Bernard |
| Government offices | ||
| Preceded by Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt |
Black Rod 1832–1877 |
Succeeded by Sir William Knollys |
| Baronetage of the United Kingdom | ||
| New title | Baronet of the Navy 1838–1877 |
Succeeded by William John Cavendish Clifford |