James Gascoyne-Cecil, 2nd Marquess Of Salisbury

James Brownlow William Gascoyne-Cecil, 2nd Marquess of Salisbury, was born on 17 April 1791 and died on 12 April 1868. He was originally styled as Viscount Cranborne until 1823. Salisbury was a British Conservative politician who held office under Prime Minister the Earl of Derby as Lord Privy Seal in 1852 and as Lord President of the Council from 1858 to 1859.

**Early Life and Background**

He was the son of James Cecil, 1st Marquess of Salisbury, and Lady Emily Hill. Lady Emily Hill was the daughter of Wills Hill, 1st Marquess of Downshire.

**Political Career**

Salisbury entered the House of Commons in 1813 as Member of Parliament for Weymouth and Melcombe Regis, serving until 1817. He then represented Hertford from 1817 until 1823. In 1823, he succeeded his father to the marquessate, thereby transitioning to the House of Lords.

He served in the cabinet of the Earl of Derby as Lord Privy Seal in 1852. Later, he held the position of Lord President of the Council between 1858 and 1859. Salisbury was sworn into the Privy Council in 1826 and was appointed a Knight of the Garter in 1842. Additionally, he served as the titular Lord Lieutenant of Middlesex from 1841 until his death in 1868.

Aside from his political roles, Salisbury held military appointments. He succeeded his father as colonel of the Hertfordshire Militia. During periods of unrest in 1830, he raised the South Hertfordshire Yeomanry Cavalry and commanded it as a major. The regiment was expanded the following year, and Salisbury was promoted to lieutenant-colonel. In 1847, he exchanged with James Grimston, 2nd Earl of Verulam, reverting to the rank of major.

**Family and Marriages**

Salisbury was married twice. His first marriage took place on 2 February 1821 to Frances Mary Gascoyne, daughter of Bamber Gascoyne and Sarah Bridget Frances Price. Upon marriage, he added her surname, Gascoyne, to his own, establishing the family surname Gascoyne-Cecil.

From this union, he had six children:

- James Emilius William Evelyn Gascoyne-Cecil, Viscount Cranborne (1821–1865), died unmarried.

- Lady Mildred Arabella Charlotte Gascoyne-Cecil (1822–1881), married Alexander Beresford Hope.

- Lord Arthur Gascoyne-Cecil (1823–1825), died in infancy.

- Lady Blanche Mary Harriet Gascoyne-Cecil (1825–1872), married James Maitland Balfour.

- Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury (1830–1903), three times Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

- Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Eustace Brownlow Henry Gascoyne-Cecil (1834–1921), married Lady Gertrude Louisa Scott.

His second marriage was on 29 April 1847 to Lady Mary Catherine Sackville-West, daughter of George Sackville-West, 5th Earl De La Warr, and Elizabeth Sackville-West, Countess De La Warr. They had five children:

- Lord Sackville Arthur Cecil (1848–1898), died unmarried.

- Lady Mary Arabella Arthur Cecil (1850–1903), married Earl of Galloway.

- Lady Margaret Elizabeth Cecil (1850–1919), died unmarried.

- Lord Arthur Cecil (1851–1913), married Elizabeth Ann Wilson and later Frederica von Klenck.

- Lord Lionel Cecil (1853–1901), died unmarried.

**Death**

James Gascoyne-Cecil, 2nd Marquess of Salisbury, died in April 1868 at the age of 76. His eldest surviving son, Robert, succeeded him as marquess. The Marchioness of Salisbury died in December 1900.