Arthur Hill, 2nd Marquess of Downshire facts for kids
Arthur Hill, 2nd Marquess of Downshire (born March 3, 1753 – died September 7, 1801) was an important British noble and a member of Parliament. He held several titles during his life, including Viscount Fairford and Earl of Hillsborough, before becoming the Marquess of Downshire. He was also a member of the Privy Council of Ireland, a group of important advisors to the King in Ireland, and a Fellow of the Royal Society, which meant he was recognized for his contributions to science.
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Arthur Hill's Early Life and Education
Arthur Hill was the oldest son of Wills Hill, 1st Marquess of Downshire. He went to Magdalen College, Oxford, a famous university, in 1771. He earned his Master of Arts degree there in 1773.
His Time in Parliament
Arthur Hill was a member of the Tory political party. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for different areas in Great Britain. From 1774 to 1780, he represented a place called Lostwithiel. Then, from 1780 to 1784, he was an MP for Malmesbury.
He also represented County Down in the Irish House of Commons. This was like the Parliament for Ireland at the time. He served there from 1776 until 1793, when he inherited his father's titles.
Important Roles and Honors
During his career, Arthur Hill held many important jobs in both England and Ireland.
- He became a captain in the Hertfordshire Militia, a local army group, in 1775.
- Later, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel in the same group in 1787.
- He was appointed as a deputy governor for County Down in 1779. This meant he helped manage the county.
- In 1785, he was chosen as the High Sheriff of Down, another important local role.
- In 1790, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a very old and respected group for scientists.
- He also became a deputy lieutenant of Berkshire in 1792.
Inheriting Titles and Later Life
When his father passed away in 1793, Arthur Hill inherited all his titles. He became the Marquess of Downshire in the Peerage of Ireland. He also inherited other titles, including Earl of Hillsborough in the Peerage of Great Britain.
He also took over his father's roles as the Hereditary Constable of Hillsborough Fort and as the main record keeper and governor of County Down. In November 1793, he was appointed to the Privy Council of Ireland, becoming an official advisor to the government.
Arthur Hill strongly disagreed with the idea of the Union of Great Britain and Ireland in 1800. This union would join the parliaments of Great Britain and Ireland. Because of his strong opposition, the government removed him from his positions. He was dismissed from being the Governor of Down and from leading the Downshire Militia. He was also removed from the Privy Council in February 1800.
His Family
On June 29, 1786, Arthur Hill married Mary Sandys. They had seven children together:
- Arthur Blundell Sandys Trumbull Hill, 3rd Marquess of Downshire (1788–1845)
- Lt.-Gen. Arthur Moyses William Hill, 2nd Baron Sandys (1792–1860)
- Lady Charlotte Hill (1794–1821)
- Lady Mary Hill (1796–1830)
- Arthur Marcus Cecil Sandys, 3rd Baron Sandys (1798–1863)
- Lord Arthur Augustus Edwin Hill (1800–1831)
- Major Lord George Augusta Hill (1801–1879)
After Arthur Hill's death, his wife Mary inherited a lot of land and money from her uncle and grandfather. In 1802, she was given her own title, becoming Baroness Sandys. This title could be passed down to her younger sons.
Arthur Hill also had another son, William Arthur Dore-Hill, born in 1778.
