Ferdinand Cavendish-Bentinck, 8th Duke of Portland

Who was Ferdinand Cavendish-Bentinck, 8th Duke of Portland?

Ferdinand William Cavendish-Bentinck, 8th Duke of Portland, was a British peer.

As the great-grandson of Lord Frederick Cavendish-Bentinck, he was the surviving male heir of his third cousin, The 7th Duke of Portland, and succeeded to the title on the latter's death in 1977.

Like many members of his family, the 8th Duke attended Eton College before continuing his education at the Royal Military College. He went on to serve in the First World War which left him severely wounded. After the war, his main sphere of activity was in Africa, where he served as Private Secretary to the Governor of Uganda. Other positions held by the 8th Duke included Chairman of the Agricultural Production and Settlement Board for Kenya, Timber Controller for East Africa, and Speaker of the Kenya Legislative Council.