William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire

The Most Noble William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire, KG (c. 1720 – 2 October 1764) was a British Whig statesman who eventually became titular Prime Minister of Great Britain.

Related Topics:
The Most Noble - KG - 1720 - 2 October - 1764 - British - Whig - Statesman - Prime Minister of Great Britain

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He was elected MP for Derbyshire in 1741 and 1747, but left the House of Commons for the Lords in 1751 by a writ of acceleration as Baron Cavendish of Hardwick. He was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 2 April 1755 until 3 January 1757, when his successor John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford entered the office. After inheriting his father's peerage titles (chiefly the Dukedom of Devonshire), Devonshire was given the Garter and appointed First Lord of the Treasury (most historians consider him Prime Minister during this service) in November 1756, and he served as First Lord until May 1757 in an administration effectively run by William Pitt the Elder.

Related Topics:
MP - Derbyshire - 1741 - 1747 - House of Commons - Lords - 1751 - Writ of acceleration - Lord Lieutenant of Ireland - 2 April - 1755 - 3 January - 1757 - John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford - Dukedom of Devonshire - Garter - First Lord of the Treasury - 1756 - William Pitt the Elder

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He married Lady Charlotte Boyle (1731–1754), the daughter and heiress of Richard Boyle, 4th Earl of Cork and 3rd Earl of Burlington, a famous architect and art collector. Through her, the Devonshires inherited Chiswick House and Burlington House in London; Bolton Abbey and Londesborough Hall in Yorkshire; and Lismore Castle in County Waterford, Ireland. The Duke employed Capability Brown to landscape the garden and park at Chatsworth House, his main residence. He hired James Paine to design the new stable block.

Related Topics:
1731 - 1754 - Richard Boyle, 4th Earl of Cork - Architect - Art - Chiswick House - Burlington House - Bolton Abbey - Londesborough Hall - Lismore Castle - County Waterford - Ireland - Capability Brown - Chatsworth House - James Paine

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