Henry Vane, 2nd Duke of Cleveland

Who was Henry Vane, 2nd Duke of Cleveland?

General Henry Vane, 2nd Duke of Cleveland KG was a British peer, politician and army officer.

Born The Honourable Henry Vane, he was the eldest son of William Vane, Viscount Barnard and his first wife, Katherine, the second daughter of Harry Powlett, 6th Duke of Bolton. In 1792, his father inherited the earldom of Darlington from his father, whereupon Vane became Viscount Barnard.

In 1812, Barnard became Member of Parliament for County Durham, a seat he held until 1815. He was then MP for Winchelsea from 1816–18, Tregony from 1818–26, Totnes from 1826–30, Saltash from 1830–31 and finally for South Shropshire from 1832–42. In 1827, Barnard's father was promoted in the Peerage as Marquess of Cleveland in 1827 and further as Duke of Cleveland in 1833, whereupon Barnard became Earl of Darlington after the first promotion.

In 1815, Darlington had joined the British Army, eventually rising through the ranks as a lieutenant-colonel in the 75th Regiment of Foot in 1824, major-general in 1851, lieutenant-general in 1857 and finally a general in 1863. In 1842, he inherited his father's titles and was also appointed a Knight of the Garter that year.