The Duke of Leeds
Master of the Horse
In office
1827–1830
Monarchs
Prime Minister
Preceded byThe Duke of Dorset
Succeeded byThe Earl of Albemarle
Personal details
Born21 July 1775 (1775-07-21)
London, England
Died10 July 1838 (1838-07-11) (aged 62)
London, England
Spouse
(m. 1797)
Quartered arms of George Osborne, 6th Duke of Leeds, KG, PC

George William Frederick Osborne, 6th Duke of Leeds, KG, PC (21 July 1775 – 10 July 1838), styled Earl of Danby until 1789 and Marquess of Carmarthen from 1789 to 1799, was a British peer and politician. He served as Master of the Horse between 1827 and 1830. He also was Governor of Scilly.

Background

Leeds was born in London, the eldest son of Francis Osborne, 5th Duke of Leeds, and his first wife, Amelia, Baroness Darcy de Knayth, daughter of Robert Darcy, 4th Earl of Holderness. Francis Osborne, 1st Baron Godolphin, was his younger brother. His parents divorced in 1779. In January 1784, aged eight, he succeeded as 13th Baron Darcy de Knayth and 10th Baron Conyers on the early death of his mother. In 1799 he also succeeded his father in the dukedom of Leeds.[1]

Political career

Leeds was appointed Lord Lieutenant of the North Riding of Yorkshire in 1802, a post he held until his death.[2] In May 1827 he entered George Canning's government as Master of the Horse.[3] He continued in this office under Lord Goderich between August 1827 and January 1828 and under the Duke of Wellington between January 1828 and November 1830. He was sworn of the Privy Council in 1827[4] and made a Knight of the Garter the same month.[4]

Family

Charlotte Townshend (Anne Mee nee Foldsone)

Leeds married Lady Charlotte Townshend, daughter of George Townshend, 1st Marquess Townshend, on 17 August 1797. They had three children:

The Duke of Leeds died in London in July 1838, aged 62, and was buried in the Osborne family chapel at All Hallows Church, Harthill, South Yorkshire. He was succeeded in the dukedom by his eldest and only surviving son, Francis. The Duchess of Leeds died in July 1856, aged 80.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b thepeerage.com Sir George William Frederick Osborne, 6th Duke of Leeds
  2. ^ leighrayment.com Peerage: Laidlaw to Leicester[usurped]
  3. ^ "No. 18358". The London Gazette. 4 May 1827. p. 985.
  4. ^ a b "No. 18360". The London Gazette. 11 May 1827. p. 1033.
  5. ^ Pattison, Mark (1988). Memoirs of an Oxford Don. London: Cassell. pp. 25, 174.
Political offices Preceded byThe Duke of Dorset Master of the Horse 1827–1830 Succeeded byThe Earl of Albemarle Honorary titles Preceded byThe Earl Fauconberg Lord Lieutenant of the North Riding of Yorkshire 1802–1838 Succeeded byLord Dundas Preceded byThe 5th Duke of Leeds Governor of the Isles of Scilly 1799−1834 Succeeded byAugustus Smith Peerage of England Preceded byFrancis Osborne Duke of Leeds 1799–1838 Succeeded byFrancis D'Arcy-Osborne Baron Osborne 1799–1838 Preceded byAmelia Osborne Baron Darcy de Knayth and Conyers 1784–1838 Portuguese nobility Preceded byAmelia Osborne Count of Mértola 1784–1838 Succeeded byFrancis D'Arcy-Osborne