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Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort

1684 – 1714

British noble

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About Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort

Lived 1684 – 1714 (aged 30). Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort was a British politician.

Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort (2 April 1684 – 24 May 1714) was an English politician. He was the only son of Charles Somerset, Marquess of Worcester, and Rebecca Child. He was styled Earl of Glamorgan until 1698, and Marquess of Worcester from 1698 until his grandfather's death on 21 January 1700, when he succeeded him as 2nd Duke of Beaufort.

Life Born at Monmouth Castle, he entertained Queen Anne and the Duke of Cumberland with splendour at Badminton in August 1702. He held aloof from public affairs until the fall of Sunderland heralded the collapse of the Whig Junto in 1710, when he is said to have remarked to the queen that he could at length call her a queen in reality. A thorough-going Tory, he founded the Loyal Brotherhood in 1709. He was, after some opposition from Jonathan Swift, admitted a member of the Tory dining club, the "Society of Brothers", on 21 February 1711. He was made captain of the gentlemen pensioners in 1712, and appointed a Knight of the Garter in October 1712.

Dying at the age of thirty, on 24 May 1714, Beaufort was succeeded by his son Henry. to Lady Mary Osborne (d. 4 February 1722), daughter of Peregrine Osborne, 2nd Duke of Leeds, with whom he had no issue.

With his second wife he had two sons: Henry Somerset, 3rd Duke of Beaufort his heir and successor; and Charles Noel Somerset, 4th Duke of Beaufort his brother's heir and successor.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Positions held
Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire
Awards
Order of the Garter
Also known as
Henry Somerset

Family & relationships

Parent
Charles Somerset, Marquess of Worcester
Parent
Rebecca Child

People in Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort?

British noble (1684-1714)

When was Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort born?

Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort was born on 2 April 1684 in Monmouth Castle.

When did Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort die?

Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort died on 24 May 1714.

What was Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort's occupation?

Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort was a politician.

What nationality was Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort?

Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort

· Wikidata: Q3784998

· DBpedia: Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort. https://biography.guide/henry-somerset-2nd-duke-of-beaufort/

MLA: "Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/henry-somerset-2nd-duke-of-beaufort/.

Chicago: "Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/henry-somerset-2nd-duke-of-beaufort/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-27 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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