Richard Temple-Nugent-Brydges-Chandos-Grenville, 1st Duke Of Buckingham And Chandos

Richard Temple-Nugent-Brydges-Chandos-Grenville, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, was born on 20 March 1776. He died on 17 January 1839. He was a British landowner and politician, holding the title of Earl Temple from 1784 to 1813, and as Marquess of Buckingham from 1813 to 1822 before becoming the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos.

Early Life and Family Background

He was born with the name Richard Temple-Nugent-Grenville. His father was George Nugent-Temple-Grenville, 1st Marquess of Buckingham, and his mother was Lady Mary Nugent, daughter of Robert Nugent, 1st Earl Nugent. His paternal grandfather was George Grenville, who served as Prime Minister of Great Britain. His uncles included Thomas Grenville and Lord Grenville. He received education at Brasenose College, Oxford, where he matriculated in 1791.

Political Career

In 1797, at the age of 21, he was elected as Member of Parliament for Buckinghamshire. In 1806, he was appointed to the Privy Council and became Vice-President of the Board of Trade and Joint Paymaster of the Forces under the Ministry of All the Talents, led by his uncle, Lord Grenville. He continued in these roles until the fall of that administration in 1807.

In 1813, he succeeded his father and inherited the titles, becoming the 1st Marquess of Buckingham. In 1820, he was appointed a Knight of the Garter. In 1822, he was granted the title Earl Temple of Stowe, with a special remainder to his granddaughter Anne Eliza Mary, and was further elevated to Marquess of Chandos and Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, with standard remainder to his heirs male.

He briefly returned to government service in July 1830 as Lord Steward of the Household, but he held this position only for a short period. Additionally, he served as Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire from 1813 until his death in 1839.

Landholdings and Other Interests

Apart from his political roles, Buckingham owned a plantation in Jamaica and held substantial land in Britain, totaling approximately 10,482 acres. His British estates included thirty-eight properties in the Old Nichol area. His physical stature and some aspects of his reputation earned him nicknames such as "Lord Grenville's fat nephew," "Ph D" (Phat Duke), and the "gros Marquis," reflecting perceptions of his size and unpopularity.

Marriage and Family

In April 1796, he married Lady Anne Brydges, daughter and sole heir of James Brydges, 3rd Duke of Chandos. Following his marriage, he and his family adopted the extended surname Temple-Nugent-Brydges-Chandos-Grenville, by royal license dated 15 November 1799.

He and Lady Anne had children; their son succeeded him as the next Richard Grenville. Lady Anne died in 1836, and Richard Grenville, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, died in January 1839 at age 62.