Home > Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton

The grandson of the 2nd Duke, he was educated at Westminster School and at the University of Cambridge. He first became known in politics as an opponent of John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, a favourite of King George III. In 1765, Grafton was secretary of state under the Marquess of Rockingham; but he retired next year, and the Earl of Chatham formed a ministry in which Grafton was First Lord of the Treasury ( 1766) but not Prime MinisterIn the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister is the head of government, exercising many of the executive functions nominally vested in the Sovereign, who is head of state. According to custom, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet (which he or she heads) are re.

Chatham's illness at the end of 1767Events The Burmese invasion reaches the Thai capital of Ayutthaya, razing it. North Carolina woodsman Daniel Boone goes through the Cumberland Gap and reaches Kentucky in defiance of a decree from King George III. He discovers a rich hunting ground, conte resulted in Grafton becoming the government's effective leader, but political differences and the attacks of " JuniusJunius the pseudonym of a writer who contributed a series of letters to the London Public Advertiser from January 21 1769 to January 21 1772. The signature had been already used by him in a letter of November 21, 1768, which he did not include in his coll" led to his resignation in January 1770Events March 5 Boston Massacre: 5 Americans killed by British troops in an event that would help start the American Revolutionary War 5 years later. May 14 Marie Antoinette arrives to French Court. May 16 14-year old Marie Antoinette marries 15-year old L. He became Lord Privy SealThe Lord Privy Seal or Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal is one of the traditional sinecure offices in the British Cabinet. Originally, its holder was responsible for the monarch's personal ("privy") seal (as opposed to the Great Seal of state, which is in th in Lord North'sFrederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford ( April 13, 1732- August 5, 1792), more often known by his earlier title, Lord North was Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1770 to 1782, and a major actor in the American Revolution. He was educated at Eton College ministry ( 1771Events January 22 Spain cedes the Falkland Islands to England. July 17 Massacre at Bloody Falls: Chipewyan chief Matonabbee traveling as the guide to Samuel Hearne on his arctic overland journey, massacre a group of unsuspecting Inuit. September 8 In Cali) but resigned in 1775Events February 9 American Revolutionary War: British Parliament declares Massachusetts in rebellion March 23 American Revolutionary War: Patrick Henry delivers his speech " give me liberty or give me death" in Williamsburg, Virginia. April 14 American Re, being in favour of conciliatory action towards the American colonists. In the Rockingham ministry of 1782 he was again lord privy seal. In later years he was a prominent Unitarian.

Besides his successor, the 4th Duke (1760–1844), and numerous other children, Grafton was the father of General Lord Charles Fitzroy (1764–1829), whose sons Sir Charles Fitzroy (1798–1858), governor of New South Wales, and Robert Fitzroy, the hydrographer, were notable for their achievements.