George Montagu, 1st Earl Of Halifax

George Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax (circa 1684 – 9 May 1739), was a British political figure associated with Horton, Northamptonshire. His career included service in the House of Commons from 1705 until 1715, after which he was elevated to the peerage.

**Early Life**

Montagu was the son of Edward Montagu of Horton and Elizabeth Pelham, daughter of Sir John Pelham, 3rd Baronet. He succeeded his father in 1690, inheriting the family estate and the position of Warden and chief forester of Salcey Forest, Northamptonshire, a role he maintained throughout his lifetime. His education commenced at Eton College in 1698. Between 1701 and 1704, he undertook travels abroad, visiting countries including Italy, Austria, Holland, Budapest, Belgrade, and Constantinople. He was a paternal great-grandson of Henry Montagu, 1st Earl of Manchester.

**Political and Official Career**

In the 1705 English general election, Montagu was elected unopposed as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Northampton with backing from Christopher Montagu. He was subsequently re-elected in 1708, 1710, and 1713 for the same constituency. In 1714, he was appointed Auditor of the Exchequer, a position he held for the remainder of his life. He was inducted into the Privy Council on 27 November 1717, served as Lord Justice in 1720, and was Keeper and Ranger of Bushy Park. In 1725, he received the honor of Knight of the Order of the Bath (K.B.).

**Residences and Properties**

The Montagu family estate was Horton House in Northamptonshire, which was demolished in 1936. As Ranger of Bushy Park, Halifax constructed and intermittently occupied a building known as 'Upper Lodge' or 'New Lodge' (built between 1714 and 1715), situated on the northwest side of the park in Teddington. This structure, now a function building of the National Physical Laboratory, was constructed at the beginning of George II’s reign and was inherited by his son, the 2nd Earl of Halifax, then passed to his grandson, Lord North.

**Peerage and Succession**

George Montagu’s uncle, Charles Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax, who died childless, ensured that his titles would pass to George, the eldest son of his brother. Charles also bequeathed much of his estate to George. Upon his uncle’s death, George succeeded as the second Baron Halifax under a special remainder. Shortly thereafter, he was elevated to the Earldom of Halifax and Viscount Sunbury, reviving titles created for his uncle the previous year. He was sworn into the Privy Council two years later.

**Personal Life**

Montagu entered into two marriages. His first marriage was on 8 April 1706 to Ricarda Posthuma Saltonstall (circa 1689–1711), with whom he had a daughter, Lady Lucy Montagu (circa 1709–1734). Lady Lucy married Francis North, 1st Earl of Guilford. Following her death, Montagu married Lady Mary Lumley around 28 June 1712. Lady Mary was the daughter of Richard Lumley, 1st Earl of Scarborough. They had at least seven children, including:

- George Montagu, 2nd Earl of Halifax (1716–1771), who inherited the titles in 1739,

- Lady Frances Montagu (died 1768), married Sir Roger Burgoyne, 6th Baronet,

- Lady Anne Montagu (circa 1720–1766), married Joseph Jekyll,

- Lady Mary Montagu (died 1743), married Sir Danvers Osborn, 3rd Baronet,

- Lady Elizabeth Montagu (died 1789), married Henry Archer,

- Lady Barbara Montagu (died 1765), who remained unmarried,

- Lady Charlotte Montagu (died 1762), married Col. James Johnston.

George Montagu died in 1739 and was succeeded in his titles by his son, George.

**Descendants**

Through his daughter Lady Lucy, Montagu was the grandfather of Frederick North, Lord North, who served as Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1770 to 1782.