George Nugent-Grenville, 2nd Baron Nugent facts for kids

George Nugent-Grenville, 2nd Baron Nugent of Carlanstown (born December 31, 1788 – died November 26, 1850) was an Irish politician. He held the title of the 2nd Baron Nugent of Carlanstown. He was also honored with the GCMG, which is a special award.

George Nugent-Grenville's Life

Early Life and Education

George Nugent-Grenville was born on December 31, 1788. His father was George Nugent-Temple, 1st Marquess of Buckingham. His mother was Lady Mary Elizabeth Nugent. She was the only child of Robert Nugent, 1st Earl Nugent.

In 1800, his mother was given the title of a baroness in Ireland. This title was set up so that her second son, George, would inherit it. When his mother passed away on March 16, 1813, George became the Baron Nugent. He studied at Brasenose College, Oxford. In 1810, he received an honorary degree from the university.

Political Career

George Nugent-Grenville was a member of the Whig political party. From 1810 to 1812, he served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Buckingham. This area was known as a "rotten borough." This meant that very few people could vote there, and the Grenville family controlled who won the election.

In 1812, George was elected as an MP for Aylesbury. He kept this seat until 1832. In 1830, he became one of the Lords of the Treasury. This was an important role in the government's finances. He left this job in 1832.

After that, he became the Lord High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands. This meant he was in charge of a group of islands that were under British protection. He held this position for three years. When he returned to England, he received the Grand Cross of St. Michael and St. George award. He tried to become an MP for Aylesbury again in 1837 and 1839 but lost. He also lost an election in Southampton in 1843. However, in 1847, he was elected as an MP for Aylesbury once more.

Political Views

George Nugent-Grenville was known as an extreme Whig, sometimes called a Whig-radical. This meant he had very strong liberal political views. He was a big supporter of Queen Caroline of Brunswick. He also visited Spain to support the Spanish Liberals against the Carlists, who were a conservative group.

In 1848, he tried to pass a law to stop people waiting for trial from being held separately in gaols (jails). This idea did not pass. He also spoke out against capital punishment (the death penalty). In 1849, he voted to limit the powers of a law called the Habeas Corpus (Ireland) Suspension Bill. He also supported efforts to remove more of the Penal Laws, which were unfair laws against Irish Catholics. He was a member of the Reform Club and the Athenaeum Club.

George Nugent-Grenville passed away on November 26, 1850, at his home in Buckinghamshire.

George Nugent-Grenville's Works

George Nugent-Grenville was also a writer. In 1812, he published a poem called Portugal. Later, in 1829, he wrote Oxford and Locke. This book defended the philosopher John Locke.

In 1832, his book Memorials of John Hampden was published. This book was about John Hampden, a famous English politician. The book received good reviews from some, like Thomas Babington Macaulay. Others, like Robert Southey, did not like it as much.

He also wrote Legends of the Library at Lillies in 1832. This book contained stories from his family home. In 1845 and 1846, he published a two-volume travel book called Lands Classical and Sacred. George also wrote many short papers on political, social, and church-related topics.

Family Life

On September 6, 1813, George Nugent-Grenville married Anne Lucy. She was the second daughter of Major-General the Hon. Vere Poulett. They did not have any children. Anne Lucy passed away in 1848. Because George had no children, his title of Baron Nugent ended when he died in 1850.

Images for kids

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  Portrait of The Right Honble. Richd. Grenville Temple, Earl Temple, Viscount and Baron Cobham, Lord Privy-Seal

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  Portrait of Lady Nugent by John Dowman