Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough

For other people named Charles Spencer, see Charles Spencer (disambiguation).

His Grace The Duke of Marlborough KG PC
Lord Privy Seal
In office 1755–1755
Monarch	George II
Prime Minister	The Duke of Newcastle
Preceded by	The Earl Gower
Succeeded by	The Earl Gower
Lord Steward of the Household
In office 1749–1755
Monarch	George II
Prime Minister	Henry Pelham The Duke of Newcastle
Preceded by	The Duke of Devonshire
Succeeded by	The Duke of Rutland
Personal details
Born	22 November 1706
Died	20 October 1758(1758-10-20) (aged 51)
Spouse	Elizabeth Trevor
Military service
Allegiance	Great Britain
Branch/service	British Army
Battles/wars	Seven Years' War

Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough, KG, PC (22 November 1706 – 20 October 1758), known as The Earl of Sunderland between 1729 and 1733, was a British soldier and politician from the Spencer family. He briefly served as Lord Privy Seal in 1755. He led British forces during the Raid on St Malo in 1758.

Early life

He was the second son of Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland and Lady Anne Churchill, the second daughter of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough and his wife Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough.

Charles inherited the Sunderland title from his older brother in 1729, becoming 5th Earl of Sunderland, and then the Marlborough title from his aunt, Henrietta, 2nd Duchess of Marlborough in 1733.

He was one of the original governors of London's Foundling Hospital, the foundation of which in 1739 marked a watershed in British child care advocacy and attitudes.

Seven Years War

Further information: Great Britain in the Seven Years War

He is best known for his service in the early part of the Seven Years' War. He led the Raid on St Malo, a naval descent against the French coastal port. Following the Capture of Emden he led the British expeditionary force sent to join Ferdinand of Brunswick's Army of Observation on Continental Europe but died in 1758, leaving command to John Manners, Marquess of Granby.

Children

A young Charles Spencer, painted by John Vanderbank.

He married The Hon. Elizabeth Trevor (c. 1713 - 1761), daughter of Thomas Trevor, 2nd Baron Trevor. They had five children:

• Lady Diana Spencer (1734–1808). Married first Frederick St John, 2nd Viscount Bolingbroke and secondly Topham Beauclerk.
• Elizabeth Herbert, Countess of Pembroke and Montgomery (January/March 1737 – 30 April 1831). Married Henry Herbert, 10th Earl of Pembroke.
• George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough (26 January 1739 – 29 January 1817).
• Lord Charles Spencer (31 March 1740 – 16 June 1820).
• Lord Robert Spencer (3 May 1747 – 23 June 1831)

Titles

• 22 November 1706 – 15 September 1729: The Honourable Charles Spencer
• 15 September 1729 – 24 October 1733: The Right Honourable The Earl of Sunderland
• 24 October 1733 – 20 October 1758: His Grace The Duke of Marlborough

References

• Lee, Sidney, ed. (1898). "Spencer, Charles (1706-1758)" . Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 53. London: Smith, Elder & Co.