Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Kent

Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Kent KG, PC ( September 28, 1671 *, † June 5, 1740 ) was a British peer and politician.

Life and career

Grey was the only son of Anthony Grey, 11th Earl of Kent, and Mary Grey, 1st Baroness Lucas. In 1702 he inherited on the death of his parents whose titles.

Grey was added in 1704 the Privy Council and appointed Lord Chamberlain of the Household. He held this office for six years. In 1706 he was raised to Marquess of Kent, 1710 to the Duke of Kent. After he was admitted to the Order of the Garter in 1712, he took over in 1716 when Lord Steward of the Household another important official in the royal court. 1719/20 he was finally Lord Privy Seal.

In addition to these court and government offices was Grey Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire (1704-1714), of Buckinghamshire (1711-1712) and Bedfordshire ( 1711-1740 ). In 1739 he founded with Thomas Coram and other London's first home for abandoned children, the Foundling Hospital.

After all three sons had died before Grey and was clearly due to his age, that he would die without a title heirs, given the title of Marquess Grey in 1740 awarded, which was explicitly provided with the note that he was also on his granddaughter Jemima, the child its at this time also deceased eldest daughter, and their sons could go on.

Grey died in June 1740 at the age of 68 years. Most of his titles became extinct with him alone the title Marquess Grey and Baron Lucas went to his granddaughter Jemima.

Family

Grey married his first wife Jemima Crew, a daughter of Thomas Crew, 2nd Baron Crew, and Mary Townshend. The couple had at least six children, five of whom died as young adults, including Anthony Grey, Earl of Harold.

His second wife married Grey Sophia Bentinck, the daughter of Johann Wilhelm Bentinck, 1st Earl of Portland, and his second wife, Jane Martha Temple. From this marriage two children come.