Augustus Henry Fitzroy

Augustus Henry FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton (1735–1811), was a British statesman who served as Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1768 to 1770 during a tumultuous period in British history. He is remembered for his role during the early years of tensions between Britain and its American colonies, as well as for his association with political reform movements of his time.

Early Life and Career
Birth and Family:
Augustus Henry FitzRoy was born on October 28, 1735, into a prominent aristocratic family. He was the great-grandson of King Charles II, as his paternal ancestor, Henry FitzRoy, was an illegitimate son of Charles II by his mistress Barbara Villiers. FitzRoy inherited his father’s title of Duke of Grafton in 1747 at the age of 12, making him a significant figure in British society from a young age.

Education:
FitzRoy was educated at Westminster School and Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he was exposed to the classical education typical of young aristocrats. His upbringing and education prepared him for a life of public service, particularly in politics.

Early Political Career:
FitzRoy entered politics as a Whig and became Member of Parliament for Bury St Edmunds in 1756. His early political career was marked by his association with the faction of the Whigs led by William Pitt the Elder, one of the most influential figures in British politics during the mid-18th century.
FitzRoy gained experience in government as Lord of the Bedchamber to King George II and later as a Lord of the Treasury. His rise was helped by his aristocratic connections and his alignment with powerful political figures.

Prime Ministership (1768–1770)
Becoming Prime Minister:
FitzRoy became First Lord of the Treasury, effectively Prime Minister, in 1768 at the age of 33. He succeeded William Pitt the Elder, who had been incapacitated by illness. FitzRoy’s ascent to the premiership was somewhat unexpected, as he was still relatively young and lacked significant experience as a political leader.
His government was largely an alliance between factions of the Whigs, including supporters of Pitt and those loyal to the Marquess of Rockingham, another key Whig leader.

Challenges of His Premiership:
FitzRoy’s time as Prime Minister was marked by political instability and the growing unrest in the American colonies, where resistance to British taxation policies was increasing.
Townshend Acts: The most significant issue during his time in office was the fallout from the Townshend Acts (1767), which had been enacted just before he became Prime Minister. These acts imposed duties on goods imported to the American colonies, leading to widespread protest and tension between Britain and the colonies. The acts were deeply unpopular in America, where they were seen as an infringement on colonial self-governance.
FitzRoy supported the partial repeal of the Townshend Acts in 1770, removing most of the taxes except for the one on tea. This decision was intended to ease tensions with the colonies but did little to prevent the growing discontent that would eventually lead to the American Revolution.

Wilkes Affair:
Another major issue that dominated FitzRoy’s premiership was the controversy surrounding John Wilkes, a radical journalist and politician. Wilkes had been repeatedly elected to Parliament by his constituents but was denied his seat by the government due to his outspoken criticism of the king and government policies.
The “Wilkes and Liberty” campaign became a symbol of the broader struggle for political reform, and FitzRoy’s government struggled to handle the protests and public unrest associated with the affair. His inability to decisively deal with the Wilkes situation led to significant public dissatisfaction and further damaged his reputation.

Resignation and Legacy:
FitzRoy resigned as Prime Minister in January 1770, largely due to political pressures and his dissatisfaction with the state of British politics. His government had faced significant challenges, including the growing unrest in the American colonies, domestic discontent, and factionalism within the Whig party.
He was succeeded by Lord North, whose administration would go on to oversee the American Revolutionary War.

Later Life and Political Career
After resigning as Prime Minister, FitzRoy remained involved in British politics and public life. He continued to serve in various governmental roles, including as Lord Privy Seal and Lord President of the Council in subsequent administrations.
He was a supporter of political reforms, including religious toleration and efforts to limit the power of the monarchy and the aristocracy. Despite his relatively short and troubled time as Prime Minister, FitzRoy remained a respected figure in British politics and an advocate for liberal reforms throughout his later life.

Personal Life and Death
Family Life:
FitzRoy married Anne Liddell, daughter of the Earl of Ravensworth, in 1756. The couple had several children, though their marriage was troubled and eventually ended in separation.
Death:
Augustus Henry FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton, died on March 14, 1811, at the age of 75.

Legacy
FitzRoy’s legacy as Prime Minister is mixed. While he held office during a critical period in British history, his administration struggled to deal with some of the most pressing issues of the time, particularly the growing unrest in the American colonies and the political turbulence in Britain. His tenure was overshadowed by the more decisive leadership of his predecessor, William Pitt the Elder, and his successor, Lord North.
Nevertheless, FitzRoy’s contributions to the political reform movement and his involvement in British politics for several decades make him an important figure in 18th-century British history. His government’s handling of the Wilkes affair and the partial repeal of the Townshend Acts were significant moments in the lead-up to the American Revolution.

Advertisement:

Bestseller No. 1

Augustus Henry Fitzroy N(1735-1811) 3Rd Duke Of Grafton English Statesman Oil On Canvas 1762 By Pompeo Batoni Poster Print by (18 x 24)

• Augustus Henry Fitzroy N(1735-1811) 3Rd Duke Of Grafton English Statesman Oil On Canvas 1762 By Pompeo Batoni

$31.03

Buy on Amazon

Bestseller No. 2

Augustus Henry Fitzroy N(1735-1811) 3Rd Duke Of Grafton English Statesman Oil On Canvas 1762 By Pompeo Batoni Poster Print by (24 x 36)

• Augustus Henry Fitzroy N(1735-1811) 3Rd Duke Of Grafton English Statesman Oil On Canvas 1762 By Pompeo Batoni

$60.60

Buy on Amazon

Bestseller No. 3

Autobiography and Political Correspondence of Augustus Henry, Third Duke of Grafton, K. G (Classic Reprint)

• Grafton, Augustus Henry Fitzroy (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 469 Pages - 08/24/2018 (Publication Date) - Forgotten Books (Publisher)

$32.27

Buy on Amazon

SaleBestseller No. 4

Fitzroy MacLean

• Hardcover Book
• McLynn, Frank (Author)
• English (Publication Language)

$9.02

Buy on Amazon

Bestseller No. 5

Augustus Henry Fitzroy, 3rd Duke of Grafton - 28x34 Black Ornate Framed and Double Matted Art by Museum Prints Titled: The Turf Macaroni

• Artist: Augustus Henry Fitzroy, 3rd Duke of Grafton - Matthew Darly - Mary Darly
• Title: The Turf Macaroni
• High Quality Art Print and Framed in a Black Ornate Wood Frame with Double Matting by Crescent

$254.99

Buy on Amazon

Bestseller No. 6

Augustus Henry Fitzroy, 3rd Duke of Grafton - 20x24 Gold Ornate Frame and Double Matted Museum Art by Museum Prints Titled: The Turf Macaroni

• Artist: Augustus Henry Fitzroy, 3rd Duke of Grafton - Matthew Darly - Mary Darly
• Title: The Turf Macaroni
• High Quality Art Print and Framed in a Gold Ornate Wood Frame with Double Matting by Crescent

$154.99

Buy on Amazon