George FitzRoy, 4th Duke Of Grafton

George Henry FitzRoy, 4th Duke of Grafton, was born on 14 January 1760 and died on 28 September 1844. He was known as the Earl of Euston until 1811, when he inherited the dukedom.

**Early Life and Education**

He was the son of Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton, and Anne Lidell. His place of birth and early childhood are not specified. FitzRoy received education at Harrow School and subsequently attended Trinity College, Cambridge. During his time at Cambridge, he developed a close friendship with William Pitt the Younger.

**Family**

On 16 November 1784, in Navestock, Essex, FitzRoy married Lady Charlotte Maria Waldegrave (1761–1808), daughter of James Waldegrave, 2nd Earl Waldegrave. The couple had eleven children:

- Lady Maria (Mary) Anne (1785–1855), who married Sir William Oglander, 6th Baronet, and had children.

- Lady Georgiana (1787–1855), who remained unmarried.

- Lady Elizabeth Anne (1788–1867), who married her first cousin John Henry Smyth and had children.

- Henry FitzRoy, styled Earl of Euston and later 5th Duke of Grafton (1790–1863).

- Lord Charles FitzRoy (1791–1865), who married Lady Anne Cavendish, daughter of the 1st Earl of Burlington, and had children.

- Lady Isabella Frances (1792–1875), who married Henry Joseph St. John.

- Lord William FitzRoy (1794–1804).

- Lord Hugh George FitzRoy (1795–1797).

- Lord Richard FitzRoy (1798–1798).

- Lord Richard FitzRoy (1800–1801).

- Lord James FitzRoy (1804–1834).

**Political Career**

FitzRoy served as Member of Parliament for Thetford from 1782 to 1784. In 1784, he was elected as MP for Cambridge University, representing the constituency until 1811. During his parliamentary career, he was aligned with the Whig party and used his influence to promote friendly relations between Britain and the United States, which had recently achieved independence.

**Military and Civic Positions**

At age 20, in 1780, FitzRoy succeeded his father as colonel of the West Suffolk Militia, a position he held until 1808. He was appointed a deputy lieutenant of Northamptonshire on 9 May 1803. Additionally, he succeeded his father as Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk on 3 July 1790.

**Honors**

In 1834, FitzRoy was appointed a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter (KG), an honor bestowed upon him in later life.

**Later Life and Succession**

George Henry FitzRoy, 4th Duke of Grafton, passed away on 28 September 1844. He was succeeded by his son Henry, who became the 5th Duke of Grafton.