William Legge, 2nd Earl of Dartmouth
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| The Earl of Dartmouth PC, FRS |
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 The Earl of Dartmouth (1777), by Nathaniel Hone |
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| In office 27 August 1772 – 10 November 1775 |
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| Monarch | George III |
| Prime Minister | Lord North |
| Preceded by | The Marquess of Downshire |
| Succeeded by | Lord George Germain |
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| Born | 20 June 1731 |
| Died | 15 July 1801 |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse(s) | Frances Nicoll (d. 1805) |
William Legge 2nd Earl of Dartmouth PC, FRS (20 June 1731 – 15 July 1801), styled as Viscount Lewisham from 1732 to 1750, was a British statesman who is most remembered for his part in the government before and during the American Revolution.
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[edit] Background
Dartmouth was the son of George Legge, Viscount Lewisham (d. 1732), son of William Legge, 1st Earl of Dartmouth. His mother was Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Arthur Kaye, 3rd Baronet. He succeeded his grand_father in the earldoom in 1750.
[edit] Political career
Lord Dartmouth was Secretary of State for the Colonies from 1772 to 1775. It was Lord Dartmouth who, in 1764, at the suggestion of Thomas Haweis, recommended John Newton, the former slave trader, to the Bishop of Chester, and was instrumental in his being accepted for the Anglican ministry.
[edit] Philanthropy
Lord Dartmouth was a large donor to and the leading trustee for the English trust that would finance the establishment of the Indian Charity School, in Lebanon, Connecticut by Eleazar Wheelock to educate and christianize the Indians. Wheelock subsequently founded Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, naming the school in Lord Dartmouth's honor in hopes of getting his financial support. Lord Dartmouth refused. In London, Lord Dartmouth supported the new Foundling Hospital, a charitable institution for the care and maintenance of London's abandoned children. He served as a vice president of the organization from 1755 until his death. The famous painter Sir Joshua Reynolds painted the Earl's portrait and donated it to the hospital. The portrait is still in the Foundling Hospital Collection and can be seen at the Foundling Museum in London. He was admitted a Fellow of the Royal Society on 7 November 1754.[1]
[edit] Family
Lord Dartmouth married Frances Catherine, daughter of Sir Charles Gounter Nicoll, in 1755. Their younger sons Admiral the Hon. Sir Arthur Kaye Legge and the Right Reverend the Hon. Edward Legge, Bishop of Oxford, both gained distinction. Lord Dartmouth died in July 1801, aged 70, and was succeeded by his eldest son, George. Lady Dartmouth died in July 1805. The family lived at Sandwell Hall (since demolished) in the Sandwell Valley.
[edit] Bibliography
- R.H. Nichols and F A. Wray, The History of the Foundling Hospital (London: Oxford University Press, 1935).
- His role in Black Country Methodism is mentioned in David Hallam's book Eliza Asbury, the mother of Bishop Francis Asbury.
[edit] References
- ^ "Lists of Royal Society Fellows". http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/page.asp?id=1727. Retrieved 2006-12-15.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by The Earl of Hillsborough |
First Lord of Trade 1765 – 1766 |
Succeeded by The Earl of Hillsborough |
| Preceded by The Earl of Hillsborough |
Colonial Secretary 1772 – 1775 |
Succeeded by Lord George Germain or Peyton Randolph as President of the Continental Congress |
| First Lord of Trade 1772 – 1775 |
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| Preceded by The Duke of Grafton |
Lord Privy Seal 1775 – 1782 |
Succeeded by The Duke of Grafton |
| Preceded by The Duke of Rutland |
Lord Steward 1783 |
Succeeded by The Duke of Chandos |
| Peerage of Great Britain | ||
| Preceded by William Legge |
Earl of Dartmouth 1750 – 1801 |
Succeeded by George Legge |
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