Frederick Ponsonby, 3rd Earl Of Bessborough

Frederick Ponsonby, 3rd Earl of Bessborough, was born on 24 January 1758 and died on 3 February 1844. He was an Anglo-Irish peer and held the courtesy title of Viscount Duncannon from 1758 until 1793. His parents were Viscount Duncannon, who became the 2nd Earl of Bessborough in July 1758, and Lady Caroline Cavendish, daughter of the 3rd Duke of Devonshire.

Ponsonby was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, where he received degrees of Master of Arts and Doctor of Civil Law. Prior to inheriting the earldom, he served as a Member of Parliament for Knaresborough from 1780 to 1793. During 1782–1783, he held the position of Lord of the Admiralty.

On 27 November 1780, he married Lady Henrietta Spencer, the second daughter of John Spencer, 1st Earl Spencer. The marriage produced four children:

1. John Ponsonby, 4th Earl of Bessborough (1781–1847), who married Lady Maria Fane, daughter of John Fane, 10th Earl of Westmorland, on 16 November 1805. They had fourteen children.

2. Major General Sir Frederick Ponsonby (1783–1837), who married Lady Emily Bathurst, daughter of Henry Bathurst, 3rd Earl Bathurst, on 16 March 1825. They had six children.

3. Lady Caroline Lamb (1785–1828), who married William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, the Prime Minister, in 1805. They had two children.

4. William Francis Spencer Ponsonby, 1st Baron de Mauley (1787–1855), who married Lady Barbara Ashley-Cooper, daughter of Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 5th Earl of Shaftesbury, on 8 August 1814. They had three children.

His marriage to Lady Henrietta Spencer was marked by periods of tension. Harriet, his wife, was described as intelligent and kind, but their relationship was troubled, with reports of vacillating behavior and physical abuse by Duncannon. Harriet engaged in an affair with Richard Brinsley Sheridan, which led to a violent confrontation when Duncannon discovered them. He initially sought a divorce, which in 18th-century society would have been a social catastrophe for Harriet. However, intervention by Duncannon's father and the Cavendish family prevented the divorce.

By around 1820, Duncannon's behavior seemed to have improved, and he and Harriet settled into a more amicable relationship. Harriet died suddenly in 1821 from a "chill" contracted while traveling in Italy. Duncannon was reported to be heartbroken by her death and lived for more than twenty years afterward.

In terms of personality, Duncannon generally made a favorable initial impression, described as having a mild and amiable manner. Nonetheless, he was also known for being a cruel husband, exhibiting a capacity for neglect and physical abuse, which was acknowledged by his family. Rumors in 1791 suggested that he attempted to kill Harriet during her illness, although these claims were unsubstantiated. He was also addicted to gambling, and episodes of rage following losses would terrify those around him. His gambling and temper contributed to concerns from Harriet's family, particularly her brother George Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer, who intervened to protect her at times.

Duncannon died at Canford House in Dorset in 1844.