William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Devonshire
William Spencer Cavendish, 1st Duke of Devonshire KG PC ( * January 25, 1640; † August 18, 1707 ) was a politician of the Whig and member of the House of Commons from 1661 to 1684 until he was 4th Earl of Devonshire. In 1694, Cavendish became the first Duke of Devonshire, Marquess of Hartington and.
Life
Cavendish was the son of William Cavendish, 3rd Earl of Devonshire and his wife Lady Elizabeth Cecil. In 1661 he was elected as Lord Cavendish to the Member of Parliament for Derbyshire. He was a member of the Whig under Charles II and James II and one of the opposition leaders and anti- Catholics. In the two subsequent elections in 1679 and 1681 he was confirmed as a Member of Parliament. In 1684 he succeeded after his death, his father as Earl of Devonshire after and became a member of the House of Lords. Cavendish signed as one of the Immortal Seven the invitation letter to William III. of Orange and supported the Glorious Revolution of 1688, by William III. at the beginning of 1689 officially became king of England.
After the revolution remained Cavendish leading politician of the Whig and in 1689 appointed a Privy Counsellor. When he assumed the office of Lord Steward, a position he held until 1707. With the title of the Duke of Devonshire, he was also in 1694, in recognition of his services the title of Marquess of Hartington. From the University of Cambridge Cavendish received in 1705 the title of MA honorary.
The family home Chatsworth House he built new in the year 1686 and 1707. During this time was also an extension of the parks.
Family
Cavendish married on October 26, 1662 Lady Mary Butler ( 1646-1710 ), daughter of James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde and his wife Lady Elizabeth Preston. The marriage produced four children:
- Lady Elizabeth Cavendish (* 1670, † 1741)
- William Cavendish, 2nd Duke of Devonshire (* 1672, † June 4, 1729 )
- Lord Henry Cavendish (* 1673, † May 10 1700 )
- Lord James Cavendish (* 1674, † December 14, 1751 )