George Spencer-Churchill, 8th Duke of Marlborough
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George Charles Spencer-Churchill, 8th Duke of Marlborough DL
(13 May 1844 – 9 November 1892), styled Earl of Sunderland until 1857 and Marquess of Blandford between 1857 and 1883, was a British peer.
, by Lady Frances Anne Emily Vane
, daughter of Charles Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry. He was the elder brother of Lord Randolph Churchill
and the uncle of Winston Churchill
. He was educated at Eton
between 1857 and 1860 and later joined the army, gaining the rank of Lieutenant in 1863 in the service of the Royal Horse Guards
.
, daughter of James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Abercorn
, on 8 November 1869 at Westminster Palace. They were divorced on 20 November 1883, shortly after Marlborough inherited the dukedom after the death of his father. Though the new duchess was technically Albertha, Duchess of Marlborough after their divorce, she preferred to use the title she used throughout most of the couple's married life and was known as Albertha, Marchioness of Blandford. They had four children:
While married to Albertha, he fathered an illegitimate son, later known as Guy Bertrand (b. 4 November 1881),, by Edith Peers-Williams (d. 1897) who was still married to Heneage Finch, 7th Earl of Aylesford (1849–1885). In an attempt to pressure Lord Aylesford to drop his divorce suit, Lady Aylesford and the Marlborough's younger brother, Lord Randolph Churchill
, threatened the Princess of Wales
that they would subpoena the Prince of Wales as a witness in the divorce.
The duke was cited as one of four co-respondents in the sensational divorce trial of Lady Colin Campbell
. He married, as his second wife, (Jane) Lilian Warren Price, the widow of Louis Carré Hamersley, a New York real-estate millionaire, and a daughter of Cicero Price. The civil marriage took place on 29 June 1888 at New York City Hall
, with the ceremony officiated by the Mayor of New York City
, Abram S. Hewitt. A religious ceremony followed the same day, in the chancel of Tabernacle Baptist Church and presided over by its minister, Dr. Daniel C. Potter. There were no issue from this marriage.
The 8th Duke of Marlborough died in 1892, aged 48 at Blenheim Palace
, and was succeeded by his only legitimate son, Charles, Marquess of Blandford
.
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
(13 May 1844 – 9 November 1892), styled Earl of Sunderland until 1857 and Marquess of Blandford between 1857 and 1883, was a British peer.
Background and education
Marlborough was the eldest son of John Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke of MarlboroughJohn Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke of Marlborough
John Winston Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke of Marlborough, KG, PC , styled Earl of Sunderland from 1822 to 1840 and Marquess of Blandford from 1840 to 1857, was a British statesman and nobleman...
, by Lady Frances Anne Emily Vane
Frances Anne Spencer-Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough
Frances, Duchess of Marlborough & Marchioness of Blandford , was an Anglo-Irish noblewoman, the wife of British peer and statesman John Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke of Marlborough. One of her sons, Lord Randolph Churchill was the father of Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill...
, daughter of Charles Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry. He was the elder brother of Lord Randolph Churchill
Lord Randolph Churchill
Lord Randolph Henry Spencer-Churchill MP was a British statesman. He was the third son of the 7th Duke of Marlborough and his wife Lady Frances Anne Emily Vane , daughter of the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry...
and the uncle of Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
. He was educated at Eton
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
between 1857 and 1860 and later joined the army, gaining the rank of Lieutenant in 1863 in the service of the Royal Horse Guards
Royal Horse Guards
The Royal Horse Guards was a cavalry regiment of the British Army, part of the Household Cavalry.Founded August 1650 in Newcastle Upon Tyne by Sir Arthur Haselrig on the orders of Oliver Cromwell as the Regiment of Cuirassiers, the regiment became the Earl of Oxford's Regiment during the reign of...
.
Family
Marlborough married firstly, Lady Albertha Frances Anne HamiltonAlbertha Spencer-Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough
Lady Albertha Frances Anne Hamilton Spencer-Churchill, VA , was an English aristocrat. She was the daughter of James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Abercorn and Lady Louisa Jane Russell....
, daughter of James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Abercorn
James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Abercorn
James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Abercorn KG PC , styled Viscount Hamilton from 1814 to 1818 and the Marquess of Abercorn from 1818 to 1868, was a British Conservative politician and statesman who twice served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.In 1860, The Times noted that Hamilton was one of only three to...
, on 8 November 1869 at Westminster Palace. They were divorced on 20 November 1883, shortly after Marlborough inherited the dukedom after the death of his father. Though the new duchess was technically Albertha, Duchess of Marlborough after their divorce, she preferred to use the title she used throughout most of the couple's married life and was known as Albertha, Marchioness of Blandford. They had four children:
- Lady Frances Louisa Spencer-Churchill (15 September 1870 – 13 November 1954), married 6 June 1893 Sir Robert Gresley, 11th Baronet, by whom she had issue.
- Charles Richard John Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of MarlboroughCharles Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of MarlboroughCharles Richard John Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough KG, PC , styled Earl of Sunderland until 1883 and Marquess of Blandford between 1883 and 1892, was a British soldier and Conservative politician...
(13 November 1871 – 30 June 1934). - Lady Lillian Maud Spencer-Churchill (9 July 1873 – 4 January 1951), married 6 October 1898 Colonel Cecil GrengellCecil GrenfellColonel Cecil Alfred Grenfell was a British Liberal politician.-Biography:Grenfell was the son of Pascoe du Pré Grenfell, of Wilton Park, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, grandson of Pascoe Grenfell. His mother was Sophia . One of fifteen children born to Pascoe and Sophia. Of his eight brothers;...
, by whom she had issue. - Lady Norah Beatrice Henriette Spencer-Churchill (1 September 1875 – 28 April 1946), married 1 December 1920 Francis Bradley-Birt, by whom she had issue.
While married to Albertha, he fathered an illegitimate son, later known as Guy Bertrand (b. 4 November 1881),, by Edith Peers-Williams (d. 1897) who was still married to Heneage Finch, 7th Earl of Aylesford (1849–1885). In an attempt to pressure Lord Aylesford to drop his divorce suit, Lady Aylesford and the Marlborough's younger brother, Lord Randolph Churchill
Lord Randolph Churchill
Lord Randolph Henry Spencer-Churchill MP was a British statesman. He was the third son of the 7th Duke of Marlborough and his wife Lady Frances Anne Emily Vane , daughter of the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry...
, threatened the Princess of Wales
Alexandra of Denmark
Alexandra of Denmark was the wife of Edward VII of the United Kingdom...
that they would subpoena the Prince of Wales as a witness in the divorce.
The duke was cited as one of four co-respondents in the sensational divorce trial of Lady Colin Campbell
Gertrude Elizabeth Blood
Lady Colin Campbell , born Gertrude Elizabeth Blood, was an Irish-born journalist, author, playwright, and editor. She was married to Lord Colin Campbell, a brother-in-law of Princess Louise, Queen Victoria's fourth daughter.-Biography:Her parents were Edmund Maghlin Blood Lady Colin Campbell (3...
. He married, as his second wife, (Jane) Lilian Warren Price, the widow of Louis Carré Hamersley, a New York real-estate millionaire, and a daughter of Cicero Price. The civil marriage took place on 29 June 1888 at New York City Hall
New York City Hall
New York City Hall is located at the center of City Hall Park in the Civic Center area of Lower Manhattan, New York City, USA, between Broadway, Park Row, and Chambers Street. The building is the oldest City Hall in the United States that still houses its original governmental functions, such as...
, with the ceremony officiated by the Mayor of New York City
Mayor of New York City
The Mayor of the City of New York is head of the executive branch of New York City's government. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces all city and state laws within New York City.The budget overseen by the...
, Abram S. Hewitt. A religious ceremony followed the same day, in the chancel of Tabernacle Baptist Church and presided over by its minister, Dr. Daniel C. Potter. There were no issue from this marriage.
The 8th Duke of Marlborough died in 1892, aged 48 at Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace is a monumental country house situated in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England, residence of the dukes of Marlborough. It is the only non-royal non-episcopal country house in England to hold the title of palace. The palace, one of England's largest houses, was built between...
, and was succeeded by his only legitimate son, Charles, Marquess of Blandford
Charles Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough
Charles Richard John Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough KG, PC , styled Earl of Sunderland until 1883 and Marquess of Blandford between 1883 and 1892, was a British soldier and Conservative politician...
.