Charles FitzRoy, 2nd Duke of Grafton


Charles FitzRoy, 2nd Duke of Grafton, was an Irish and English politician.

Early life

He was the only child and heir of Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton by his wife Isabella Bennet, 2nd Countess of Arlington. He succeeded to his father's titles on 9 October 1690.

Career

Grafton was one of the members of the Hanoverian-supporting Kit-Cat Club portrayed by Godfrey Kneller.. He served as Lord High Steward at King George I's coronation, becoming a Privy Counsellor in 1715 and a Knight of the Garter in 1721. He also served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1720 to 1724 and Lord Chamberlain from 1724 until his death. In 1719 he was one of the main subscribers to the Royal Academy of Music, a corporation that produced baroque opera on the stage. In 1739 he supported the creation of what was to become one of London's most notable charities, the Foundling Hospital. He sat on that charity's original Court of Governors with such fellow Governors as the Duke of Bedford, the Lord Vere and the Lord Mayor of London. He was affectionately known to the Royal court as 'Booby Grafton'. For a number of years he and Princess Emily, one of George II's daughters, enjoyed a semi-flirtatious relationship.

Marriage and children

He married Lady Henrietta Somerset on 30 Apr 1713, daughter of Charles Somerset, Marquess of Worcester and Rebecca Child; they had seven children:
Cork, 3rd Earl of Burlington and his wife Lady Dorothy Savile, daughter of William Savile, 2nd Marquess of Halifax. The Earl was notorious for mistreating his wife, who died seven months after their marriage, and died childless.
The Duke also fathered an illegitimate son, Charles FitzRoy-Scudamore.

Hunterian Art Gallery, University of Glasgow

Legacy

in Dublin was named after him. Grafton, Massachusetts is named after him.