John Manners, 3rd Duke of Rutland

Who was John Manners, 3rd Duke of Rutland?

John Manners, 3rd Duke of Rutland KG PC was an English nobleman, the eldest son of John Manners, 2nd Duke of Rutland and Catherine Russell. Styled Marquess of Granby from 1711, he succeeded to the title in 1721, cutting short a brief career in the House of Commons, where he had represented Rutland as a Whig.

He held a variety of government and court positions including Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire 1721–1779, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 1727–1736, Lord Steward of the Household 1755–1761, and Master of the Horse 1761–1766.

In 1717 he married Bridget Sutton, the 17-year-old heiress of Robert Sutton, 2nd Baron Lexinton. They had eleven children, most of whom died young:

Lady Catherine Rachel Manners, died young

Lady Caroline Manners, died young

Lady Frances and Lady Bridget Manners, twins

John Manners, Marquess of Granby

Lord Robert Manners-Sutton

Lord George Manners-Sutton

Lord William Manners

Lady Leonora Manners

Lady Frances Manners

Lord Frederick Manners

In 1722 he became a Knight of the Order of the Garter and in 1727 was sworn of the Privy Council.