Augustus Henry Fitzroy, 3rd Duke of Grafton, was born on September 28, 1735, in London, England. He was the son of Lord Augustus Fitzroy, the third son of Charles II, and his wife Elizabeth Cosby. Grafton was educated at Eton College and then went on to study at Peterhouse, Cambridge. He inherited the title of Duke of Grafton and a substantial fortune from his grandfather in 1757.
Grafton's political career began in 1756 when he was elected to the House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for Bury St Edmunds. He was a member of the Whig party and became an ally of the influential politician, Charles Townshend. Grafton quickly made a name for himself as a capable and eloquent speaker and became known for his support of the American colonies during the early years of the American Revolution.
In 1765, Grafton was appointed as a Lord of the Bedchamber to King George III, and two years later, he was appointed as the First Lord of the Treasury, which made him the de facto Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Grafton's tenure as Prime Minister was marked by a number of challenges, including the escalating tensions with the American colonies and the outbreak of the Wilkes affair.
The Wilkes affair was a political scandal involving the radical journalist, John Wilkes, who was elected as a Member of Parliament for Middlesex in 1768. Wilkes was an outspoken critic of the government and was eventually expelled from Parliament for his inflammatory writings. This sparked widespread protests and riots, and Grafton was forced to send in troops to quell the unrest. Grafton's handling of the situation was widely criticized, and he ultimately resigned as Prime Minister in January 1770.
Following his resignation, Grafton remained active in politics and continued to serve as a Member of Parliament. He supported the American colonies in their struggle for independence and was a vocal opponent of the government's policies towards them. Grafton also supported the abolition of slavery and was an advocate for parliamentary reform.
In addition to his political career, Grafton was also a patron of the arts and sciences. He was a member of the Royal Society and supported a number of scientific experiments and discoveries, including the first balloon flights in England.
Augustus Henry Fitzroy, 3rd Duke of Grafton, died on March 14, 1811, at the age of 75. He is remembered as a capable politician and advocate for reform, as well as a patron of the arts and sciences. While his tenure as Prime Minister was marked by controversy and criticism, his contributions to British politics and society were significant and enduring.
Grafton's appointment as Prime Minister in 1768 was not without controversy. He was not the first choice of King George III, who had preferred Lord Chatham, but Chatham's declining health made him unavailable for the position. Grafton was also not the choice of some members of the Whig party, who felt that he lacked the necessary experience and gravitas for the role.
Despite these challenges, Grafton managed to form a government and immediately faced a number of significant challenges. One of the biggest issues he faced was the escalating tensions with the American colonies. The colonists were growing increasingly unhappy with the British government's policies, including taxation without representation, and were organizing protests and boycotts of British goods.
Grafton initially tried to take a conciliatory approach towards the colonies and proposed a number of reforms aimed at easing tensions. However, these proposals were met with skepticism and even outright hostility by many colonists. Grafton also faced resistance from some members of his own government, who were more hardline in their approach to the colonies.
Another major challenge that Grafton faced was the outbreak of the Wilkes affair. John Wilkes was a radical journalist and politician who had been expelled from Parliament in 1764 for publishing articles critical of the government. In 1768, he was elected as a Member of Parliament for Middlesex, a move that was widely seen as a rebuke to the government.
Grafton was initially reluctant to take action against Wilkes, but pressure from other members of his government and the King eventually forced his hand. Wilkes was expelled from Parliament once again, which sparked widespread protests and riots. Grafton responded by sending in troops to quell the unrest, a move that was widely criticized and seen as heavy-handed.
The Wilkes affair, combined with the growing tensions with the colonies, put significant pressure on Grafton's government. His approval ratings plummeted, and he faced significant opposition in Parliament. In January 1770, Grafton resigned as Prime Minister, citing personal reasons.
Despite the controversies and challenges of his tenure as Prime Minister, Grafton's contributions to British politics and society were significant. He was a vocal advocate for the American colonies and supported their struggle for independence. He was also a supporter of parliamentary reform and the abolition of slavery, and he played a key role in promoting scientific discoveries and experimentation.
Overall, Augustus Henry Fitzroy, 3rd Duke of Grafton, was a complex and sometimes controversial figure in British history. While his tenure as Prime Minister was marked by controversy and criticism, his contributions to politics, society, and science continue to be remembered and celebrated today.
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Reference: Article by Greg Scott (Staff Historian), 2024
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