Grafton

Grafton, AUGUSTUS HENRY FITZROY, DUKE OF, statesman, a descendant of Charles II., was born 1st October 1735, and in 1757 succeeded his grandfather, the second duke (see CHARLES II.). He first came to the front in political life in 1763 in the opposition to Bute, and in July 1765 he took office as Secretary of State under Rockingham, but resigned in the following May. Two months later Pitt became premier and Earl of Chatham, making Grafton First Lord of the Treasury; but in consequence of Chatham's continued illness Grafton was compelled to take upon his own shoulders the responsible duties of head of the government from September 1767. He resigned in 1770, accepted the office of Lord Privy Seal under Lord North in 1771, and filled it until November 1775. When the new Rockingham ministry was formed in March 1782 Grafton took his old post as Lord Privy Seal, but resigned office thirteen months later. He died at Euston Hall, Suffolk, 14th March 1811. Indolent, vacillating, somewhat obstinate in his political life, and openly immoral in his private life, Grafton was the target at which Junius (q.v.) shot some of his sharpest invectives.