| His Grace The Duke of Portland PC, FRS, FSA |
|
|---|---|
| Lord Privy Seal | |
| In office 30 April 1827 – July 1827 |
|
| Monarch | George IV |
| Prime Minister | George Canning |
| Preceded by | The Earl of Westmorland |
| Succeeded by | The Earl of Carlisle |
| Lord President of the Council | |
| In office 17 August 1827 – 21 January 1828 |
|
| Monarch | George IV |
| Prime Minister | The Viscount Goderich |
| Preceded by | The Earl of Harrowby |
| Succeeded by | The Earl Bathurst |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 June 1768 |
| Died | 27 March 1854 |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse(s) | Henrietta Scott (d. 1844) |
| Alma mater | Christ Church, Oxford |
William Henry Cavendish Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck, 4th Duke of Portland PC, FRS, FSA (24 June 1768 – 27 March 1854), styled Marquess of Titchfield until 1809, was a British politician who served in various positions in the governments of George Canning and Lord Goderich.
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Portland was the eldest son of Prime Minister William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland and Lady Dorothy, daughter of William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire and Charlotte Boyle, Baroness Clifford. He was the elder brother of Lord William Bentinck and Lord Charles Bentinck. He was educated at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford.[1]
Portland was Member of Parliament for Petersfield between 1790 and 1791[1][2] and for Buckinghamshire between 1791 and 1809.[1][3] and served under his father as a Lord of the Treasury between March and September 1807.[1] He remained out of office until April 1827 when he was appointed Lord Privy Seal by his brother-in-law George Canning.[4] He was sworn of the Privy Council the same year.[4] When Lord Goderich became Prime Minister in August 1827, Portland became Lord President of the Council,[5] an office he retained until the government fell in January 1828.[1]
Portland also held the honorary post of Lord Lieutenant of Middlesex between 1794 and 1841.[1]
Portland married Henrietta, daughter of General John Scott and his wife Margaret (née Dundas), in London on 4 August 1795. At the time of his marriage he obtained Royal Licence to take the name "Scott" in addition to that of Bentinck. They were parents of nine children:
The Duchess of Portland died in April 1844. Portland survived her by ten years and died in March 1854, aged 85. He was succeeded in the dukedom by his second but eldest surviving son, William.[1]
The department of Manuscripts and Special Collections, The University of Nottingham holds a number of papers relating to Portland: His personal and political papers (Pw H) are part of the Portland (Welbeck) Collection while the Portland (London) Collection (Pl) contains papers relating to his estate business. The Portland Estate Papers held at Nottinghamshire Archives also contain items relating to Portland's properties.