Ferdinand Cavendish-Bentinck, 8th Duke of Portland

Ferdinand William Cavendish-Bentinck, 8th Duke of Portland (4 July 1889 – 13 December 1980), was a British peer, grandson of George Cavendish-Bentinck.

As the great-grandson of Lord Frederick Cavendish-Bentinck (4th son of the 3rd Duke of Portland), he was the heir male of his third cousin, The 7th Duke of Portland, and succeeded to the title on the latter's death in 1977.

Queen Elizabeth II is also descended from the 3rd Duke of Portland through her maternal grandmother Cecilia Cavendish-Bentinck. The Queen and the 8th Duke of Portland were third cousins, once removed.

Like many members of his family, the 8th Duke attended Eton College before continuing his education at the RMAS. He went on to serve in the First World War which left him severely wounded. After the war, his main sphere of activity was in Africa, where he served as Private Secretary to the Governor of Uganda (1925–1927). Other positions held by the 8th Duke included Chairman of the Agricultural Production and Settlement Board for Kenya (1939–1945), Timber Controller for East Africa (1940–1945), and Speaker of the Kenya Legislative Council (1955–1960).

Family

In 1912, he married Wentworth Frances (d 1964), daughter of William James Hope-Johnston. They divorced in 1950 without issue.

In 1950, he married Gwyneth Ethel (d 1986), daughter of John Lesley Edwards and widow of Colonel David A.J. Bowie. Again, this marriage produced no issue.

He was succeeded by his younger brother, Victor Cavendish-Bentinck, as the 9th Duke upon his death.

References

• Leigh Rayment's Peerage Pages