Henry Bentinck, 1st Duke of Portland

Who was Henry Bentinck, 1st Duke of Portland?

Henry Bentinck, 1st Duke of Portland, styled Viscount Woodstock from 1689 until 1709, was a British politician and colonial statesman.

Bentinck was the second, but eldest surviving, son of William Bentinck, 1st Earl of Portland. On 9 June 1704, he married Lady Elizabeth Noel daughter of Wriothesley Baptist Noel, 2nd Earl of Gainsborough and Catherine Greville at Chiswick and their seven children included:

William Bentinck, Viscount Woodstock, later Marquess of Titchfield, later 2nd Duke of Portland

Lord George, soldier.

Lady Anne, married Col. Daniel Paul.

Lady Amelia Catharina, married Jacob van Wassenaer, Heer van Hazerswoude-Waddingsveen.

Lady Isabella, married Henry Monck who was the uncle of Charles Monck, 1st Viscount Monck.

In 1705, Bentinck entered Parliament as MP for Southampton and held the seat until 1708, when he was returned for Hampshire. In 1709, he left the Commons for the Lords after inheriting his father's earldom, was appointed Colonel of the 1st Troop of Horse Guards a year later and elevated in the Peerage as Marquess of Titchfield and Duke of Portland in 1716.