William Legge, 4th Earl of Dartmouth FRS, SA (29 November 1784–22 November 1853), styled The Honourable William Legge until 1801 and Viscount Lewisham between 1801 and 1810, was a British peer.
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Dartmouth was the son of George Legge, 3rd Earl of Dartmouth, by Lady Frances, daughter of Heneage Finch, 3rd Earl of Aylesford. Heneage Legge and Arthur Legge were his younger brothers[1].
Dartmouth was returned to Parliament as one of two representatives for Milborne Port at a by-election in January 1810.[2] However, in November of the same year he succeeded his father in the earldom and took his seat in the House of Lords.[3] He was admitted a Fellow of the Royal Society on 7 November 1822.[4]. He was also a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.[1]
Lord Dartmouth was twice married. He married firstly Lady Frances Charlotte, daughter of Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, 2nd Earl Talbot, in 1820. Lady Frances died already in October 1823, two months after the birth of her son and only child. Lord Dartmouth married secondly the Honourable Frances, daughter of Reverend George Barrington, 5th Viscount Barrington, in 1828. They had six sons and nine daughters. His children by his second wife included the Right Reverend Augustus Legge and Colonel Heneage Legge. The Countess of Dartmouth died in August 1849. Lord Dartmouth remained a widower until his death in November 1853, aged 68. He was succeeded in the earldom by his only child from his first marriage, William.[1]
Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
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Preceded by Hugh Leycester Lord Paget |
Member of Parliament for Milborne Port January–November 1810 With: Hugh Leycester |
Succeeded by Hugh Leycester Hon. Sir Edward Paget |
Peerage of Great Britain | ||
Preceded by George Legge |
Earl of Dartmouth 1810–1853 |
Succeeded by William Legge |