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Grafton (AUGUSTUS HENRY FITZROY DUKE)

AUGUSTUS HENRY FITZROY, DUKE OF, an English statesman, a descendant of Charles II.; born Oct. 1, 1735. In 1757 he 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 on 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 till November, 1775. When the new Rockingham ministry was formed in March, 1782, Grafton took his old post as Lord Privy Seal, but resigned office 13 months later.

He was the target at which JUNIUS (q. v.) shot some of his sharpest invectives. He died in Euston Hall, Suffolk, England, March 14, 1811.