Charles FitzRoy, 1st Baron Southampton facts for kids

{{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = The Right Honourable | name = Baron Southampton | honorific_suffix = | image = Portrait of Charles Fitzroy 1st Baron Southampton 1737 1797.jpg | alt = | caption = Portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds c. 1760 | constituency_MP1 = Orford | term_start1 = 1759 | term_end1 = 1761 | constituency_MP2 = Bury St Edmunds | term_start2 = 1761 | term_end2 = 1774 | constituency_MP3 = Thetford | term_start3 = 1774 | term_end3 = 1780 | birth_date = 25 June 1737 | birth_place = | death_date = 21 March 1797 | death_place = Stanhope Street, London | death_cause = | resting_place = St James's burial ground, Hampstead Road | citizenship = | nationality = British | party = Whig | spouse = Anne Warren | relatives = Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton (brother) | children = Sixteen including: George FitzRoy, 2nd Baron Southampton Charles FitzRoy | mother = Elizabeth Cosby | father = Lord Augustus FitzRoy | residence = FitzRoy Farm, Highgate | education = | alma_mater = | occupation = Soldier and politician | awards = | signature = | signature_alt = | signature_size = | nickname =

| allegiance = Kingdom of Great Britain | branch = British Army | serviceyears = 1752–1797 | rank = General | unit = 1st Foot Guards

| battles =

Charles FitzRoy, 1st Baron Southampton (born 25 June 1737 – died 21 March 1797) was an important figure in 18th-century Britain. He was a brave officer in the British Army and a skilled politician. He fought in the Seven Years' War and was a member of the House of Commons, which is like a part of today's Parliament.

FitzRoy started his military career as an ensign (a junior officer) in 1752. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a lieutenant-colonel by 1758. He was part of major battles like the Battle of Minden and the Battle of Vellinghausen. Thanks to his powerful family, he became a major-general in 1772 and a full General in 1793. His brother, Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton, who was a very influential politician, helped him a lot in his political life.

Life of Charles FitzRoy

Early Military Service

Charles FitzRoy was born on 25 June 1737. His father was Lord Augustus FitzRoy, and his mother was Elizabeth Cosby. Charles came from the famous FitzRoy family, a very important aristocratic family. His older brother, Augustus, later became the third Duke of Grafton. When Charles's father died in 1741, Charles and his brother were raised by their grandfather, Charles FitzRoy, 2nd Duke of Grafton.

In 1752, Charles joined the British Army as an ensign in the 1st Foot Guards. Because his family was so powerful, he was promoted very quickly. He became a lieutenant in 1756 and a lieutenant-colonel in 1758. The next year, he became an aide de camp (a personal assistant) to Field-Marshal Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick during the Seven Years' War.

FitzRoy was at the Battle of Minden on 1 August. During the battle, he was given an important order from Prince Ferdinand for Lord George Sackville. This order was for the British cavalry to charge, which could have won the battle. However, Lord George Sackville was slow to understand and follow the order. This led to a formal investigation where FitzRoy gave evidence. The outcome was that Lord George Sackville faced consequences for his actions.

Prince Ferdinand praised FitzRoy for his behavior during the battle. In 1760, FitzRoy was also made a Groom of the Bedchamber, a role in the royal household. He continued to serve in the army and fought at the Battle of Vellinghausen in 1761. When he returned to England in 1762, he was promoted to colonel. He commanded the 119th Regiment of Foot, but this regiment was later disbanded in 1763.

Political Career

Like his brother Grafton, Charles FitzRoy was a Whig. This was a political group often connected by family ties. While he was still fighting in the Seven Years' War, he was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Orford in August 1759. The Prime Minister at the time, Lord Newcastle, helped him get elected.

FitzRoy did not actively participate in politics at first because he was still serving in Germany. However, he was elected as an MP for Bury St Edmunds in 1761. After returning to England in 1762, he started to take a more active role in politics.

Even though he had supported Lord Newcastle, FitzRoy later voted against the new Prime Minister, Lord Bute. This vote was about the peace agreements that would end the Seven Years' War. Because of this, Lord Bute had FitzRoy removed from his position as Groom of the Bedchamber.

FitzRoy continued to work with his brother Grafton. He spoke in Parliament against a new law called the 1765 Regency Bill. He also helped Grafton and William Pitt organize the government when Lord Rockingham became Prime Minister. When Rockingham took power, Grafton became a Secretary of State, and FitzRoy's military career improved. He became colonel of the 14th Dragoons in 1765 and served as Vice-Chamberlain to Queen Charlotte in 1768.

Becoming Baron Southampton

FitzRoy was promoted to major-general in 1772. In 1774, he became an MP for Thetford. At this point, he started to make more independent political decisions. When his brother Grafton opposed Prime Minister Lord North's policies towards British North America, FitzRoy chose not to join him.

He was promoted to lieutenant-general in 1777. As a reward for supporting Lord North's government, Charles FitzRoy was given the title of Baron Southampton on 17 October 1780. This meant he became a peer and could sit in the House of Lords.

In December 1780, FitzRoy was appointed Groom of the Stole to the Prince of Wales, who would later become King George IV. In this role, he was a special advisor and head of the Prince's household. FitzRoy often helped the Prince and his father, George III, communicate when they had disagreements. He also helped manage the Prince's very large debts, especially those from building Carlton House. One person at the time said that FitzRoy was very loyal to the King.

The Prince of Wales, future George IV, whom FitzRoy served as Groom of the Stole.

Now serving in the House of Lords, FitzRoy made a motion to show loyalty to the King at the start of Parliament in 1781. In 1782, he returned to his military background during a debate about Lord George Sackville (now known as Germain) becoming a peer. Some people thought Sackville should not be allowed in the House of Lords because of his past military investigation. FitzRoy spoke up, saying that the investigation had been fair and not politically motivated.

FitzRoy's role in Queen Charlotte's court ended in the same year. He continued to serve in the House of Lords and remained neutral during debates about the 1789 Regency Bill. He was promoted to general on 25 October 1793. Charles FitzRoy died at his home in Stanhope Street, London, on 21 March 1797. He was buried in St James's burial ground, Hampstead Road.

Family

Charles FitzRoy married Anne Warren (who died on 13 July 1807) on 27 July 1758. Anne was the daughter of Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Warren. Charles and Anne lived with their family at FitzRoy Farm near Highgate. They had many children, including:

• Anne Caroline FitzRoy (born 9 May 1759)
• Susannah Maria FitzRoy (7 September 1760 – 27 January 1795)
• George FitzRoy, 2nd Baron Southampton (7 August 1761 – 24 June 1810)
• General Charles FitzRoy (5 September 1762 – 18 October 1831)
• William FitzRoy (21 July 1764 – 28 August 1786)
• Henry FitzRoy (13 September 1765 – 19 March 1794)
• Charlotte FitzRoy (born 13 July 1767)
• Warren FitzRoy (1 September 1768 – 24 May 1806)
• Frederic FitzRoy (born 10 October 1769)
• Emily FitzRoy (26 December 1770 – 1800)
• Louisa FitzRoy (born 12 December 1771)
• Lieutenant-General William FitzRoy (12 December 1773 – 19 June 1837)
• Robert FitzRoy (27 May 1775 – before 1812)
• Edward Somerset FitzRoy (25 October 1776 – before 1812)
• Two unnamed sons who died as infants
• Georgiana FitzRoy (13 October 1782 – 6 February 1835)