Constituency Dates
Lostwithiel 1 May 1721 – 1722
Grampound 1722 – 1727
Huntingdonshire 1727 – 4 June 1729
Family and Education
b. ?1698, 1st s. of William Cavendish, M.P., 2nd Duke of Devonshire, by Rachel, 1st da. of William Russell, M.P., Lord Russell, and sis. of Wriothesley, 2nd Duke of Bedford; bro. of Lords James and Charles Cavendish. educ. New Coll. Oxf. 30 May 1715, aged 16. m. 27 Mar. 1718, Catherine, da. and h. of John Hoskins of Oxted, Surr., steward to the Duke of Bedford, 4s. 3da. suc. fa. as 3rd Duke 4 June 1729; K.G. 12 June 1733.
Offices Held

Capt. of gent. pensioners 1726 – 31; ld. lt. Derbys. 1729 – d.; P.C. 12 June 1731; ld. privy seal 1731 – 33; ld. steward 1733 – 37, 1745 – 49; ld. lt. [I] 1737–45.

Address
Main residence: Chatsworth, Derbys.
biography text

Lord Hartington was returned on the government interest for Lostwithiel in 1721 and again in 1722, when he chose to sit for Grampound. On 15 Jan. 1723 he moved that the committee appointed by the Commons to examine one of the Atterbury plot conspirators should consist of privy councillors. Brought in for Huntingdonshire by the Duke of Manchester in 1727, he seconded, 7 May 1728, an address for a vote of credit.1Knatchbull Diary, App. 128. A year later he succeeded to the dukedom, carrying virtually a prescriptive right to a seat in any Whig cabinet of this period. On seeing him kiss hands for the privy seal in 1731 the 1st Lord Egmont was reminded of Caligula’s making his horse consul; but he was set up as ‘the standard of Whiggism’ by Walpole,2HMC Egmont Diary, i. 192; Walpole, Mems. Geo. II, i. 196. who on resigning wrote to him:

one of the greatest prides and pleasures of my life is that I have the honour to call you friend which is a title that I shall never forfeit, nor abandon.32 Feb. 1742, Cholmondeley (Houghton) mss.

He resigned in 1749 to retire with his Duchess to Chatsworth

after having parted with her and turned [i.e. sent her off] her head by breaking a promise he had given her of not marrying her son to Lord Burlington’s daughter.4Walpole to Mann, 4 June 1749; Corresp. H. Walpole (Yale ed.), xx. 66 n. 24.

He died 5 Dec. 1755.

Author
R.R.S.
Volume
Commons 1715-1754
Notes
  • 1. Knatchbull Diary, App. 128.
  • 2. HMC Egmont Diary, i. 192; Walpole, Mems. Geo. II, i. 196.
  • 3. 2 Feb. 1742, Cholmondeley (Houghton) mss.
  • 4. Walpole to Mann, 4 June 1749; Corresp. H. Walpole (Yale ed.), xx. 66 n. 24.