Thomas Osborne, 1st Duke of Leeds

Thomas Osborne, 1st Duke of Leeds (February 20,1631 - July 26,1712), English statesman, commonly known also by his earlier title of Earl of Danby, served in a variety of offices under Kings Charles II and William III of England.

Return to Court under William III

Friction with the Whigs' Ascendancy

Danby had rendered extremely important services to William's cause. On 20 April 1689 he was created Marquess of Carmarthen and was made lord-lieutenant of the three ridings of Yorkshire. He was, however, still greatly disliked by the Whigs, and William, instead of reinstating him in the lord treasurership, only appointed him Lord President of the Council in February 1689. He could not conceal his vexation and disappointment, which were increased by the appointment of Halifax to the office of Lord Privy Seal. The antagonism between the "black" and the "white" marquess (the latter being the nickname given to Carmarthen in allusion to his sickly appearance), which had been forgotten in their common hatred to the French policy and to Rome, revived in all its bitterness. He retired to the country and was seldom present at the council. In June and July new motions were made in parliament for his removal; but notwithstanding his great unpopularity, on the retirement of Halifax in 1690 he again acquired the chief power in the state, which he retained till 1695 by bribery in parliament and by the support of the king and queen.

Related Topics:
20 April - 1689 - Whig - Lord President of the Council - February - Lord Privy Seal - Rome - June - July - 1690 - 1695

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Advisor to the Queen, and Return to Prominence

In 1690, during William's absence in Ireland, Carmarthen was appointed Mary's chief advisor. In 1691, desiring to compromise Halifax, he discredited himself by the patronage of an informer named Fuller, soon proved an impostor. He was absent in 1692 when the Place Bill was thrown out. In 1693 Carmarthen presided in great state as Lord High Steward at the trial of Lord Mohun; and on May 4, 1694 he was created Duke of Leeds. The same year he supported the Triennial Bill, but opposed the new treason bill as weakening the hands of the executive. Meanwhile fresh attacks had been made upon him. He was accused unjustly of Jacobitism. In April 1695 he was impeached once more by the Commons for having received a bribe of 5000 guineas to procure the new charter for the East India Company. In his defence, while denying that he had received the money and appealing to his past services, Leeds did not attempt to conceal the fact that according to his experience bribery was an acknowledged and universal custom in public business, and that he himself had been instrumental in obtaining money for others. Meanwhile his servant, who was said to have been the intermediary between the Duke and the Company in the transaction, fled the country; and no evidence being obtainable to convict, the proceedings fell apart.

Related Topics:
1690 - Ireland - 1691 - 1692 - Place Bill - 1693 - Lord High Steward - May 4 - 1694 - Triennial Bill - Jacobitism - April - 1695 - East India Company

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In May 1695 Leeds had been ordered to discontinue his attendance at the council. He returned in October, but was not included among the Lords Justices appointed regents during William's absence in this year. In November he was created DC.L. by the University of Oxford. In December he became a commissioner of trade, and in December 1696 governor of the Royal Fishery Company. He opposed the prosecution of Sir John Fenwick, but supported the action taken by members of both Houses in defence of William's rights in the same year. In 1698 he entertained the tsar, Peter the Great, at Wimbledon, He had for some time lost the real direction of affairs, and in 1699 he was compelled to retire from office and from the lord-lieutenancy of Yorkshire.

Related Topics:
May - 1695 - University of Oxford - 1696 - Royal Fishery Company - John Fenwick - 1698 - Peter the Great - Wimbledon - 1699

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