William Bentinck, 4th Duke of Portland

William Henry Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck, 4th Duke of Portland, (24 June 1768 – 27 March 1854), styled Marquess of Titchfield until 1809, was a British politician who served in various positions in the governments of George Canning and Lord Goderich.

Background and education Portland was the eldest son of Prime Minister William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland and Lady Dorothy, daughter of William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire and Charlotte Boyle, Baroness Clifford. He was the elder brother of Lord William Bentinck and Lord Charles Bentinck.

He was educated first in Ealing under the tutelage of Samuel Goodenough graduating in 1774, followed by Westminster School (1783). He attended Christ Church, Oxford for two years but did not take a degree.

He later received an honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law from Oxford in 1793.

Political career

Portland was Member of Parliament for Petersfield between 1790 and 1791 and for Buckinghamshire between 1791 and 1809. He was sworn of the Privy Council the same year. an office he retained until the government fell in January 1828. Over time the Duke became less of a staunch Conservative, softening to some of the more liberal stances of Canning.

William Henry Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck, Marquess of Titchfield (22 October 1796 – 5 March 1824) Lady Margaret Harriet Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck (21 April 1798 – 9 April 1882) Lady Caroline Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck (6 July 1799 – 23 January 1828) William John Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck, 5th Duke of Portland (12 September 1800 – 6 December 1879) Lord William George Frederick Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck (27 February 1802 – 21 September 1848) Lord Henry William Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck (9 June 1804 – 31 December 1870) Lady Charlotte Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck (14 Jan 1806 – 30 September 1889), married Evelyn Denison, 1st Viscount Ossington Lady Lucy Joan Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck (27 August 1807 – 29 July 1899), married Charles Ellis, 6th Baron Howard de Walden Lady Mary Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck (8 July 1809 – 20 July 1874), married Sir William Topham

Death and legacy The Duchess of Portland died on 24 April 1844.

Titles His full titles were Duke of Portland, Marquess of Titchfield, Earl of Portland, Viscount Woodstock, and Baron Cirencester.

The Most Honourable William Cavendish-Bentinck, Marquess of Titchfield (1768–1795) The Most Honourable William Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck, Marquess of Titchfield (1795–1809) His Grace The Duke of Portland (1809–1854)

Ancestors