William Bentinck, 2nd Duke of Portland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Duke of Portland
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William Bentinck, 2nd Duke of Portland (Christian Friedrich Zincke)
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 March 1709 |
| Died | 1 May 1762 (aged 53) |
| Resting place | Westminster Abbey |
| Nationality | English |
| Spouse | Lady Margaret Harley |
| Children | Elizabeth Thynne, Marchioness of Bath Henrietta Grey, Countess of Stamford William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland Lady Margaret Bentinck Lady Frances Bentinck Lord Edward Bentinck |
| Parents | Henry Bentinck, 1st Duke of Portland Elizabeth Noel |
William Bentinck, 2nd Duke of Portland (born March 1, 1709 – died May 1, 1762) was an important person in British history. He was a peer, which means he was a member of the nobility, and also a politician. He held the titles of Viscount Woodstock and later Marquess of Titchfield before becoming the Duke of Portland.
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Who Was William Bentinck?
William Bentinck was the son of Henry Bentinck, 1st Duke of Portland and Elizabeth Noel. When he was a teenager in 1726, he became the Duke of Portland after his father passed away.
His Family Life
On June 11, 1734, William Bentinck married Lady Margaret Harley. Together, they had six children:
- Lady Elizabeth Bentinck
- Lady Henrietta Bentinck
- William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland
- Lady Margaret Bentinck
- Lady Frances Bentinck
- Lord Edward Charles Cavendish-Bentinck
The Duke really enjoyed his family life. He spent a lot of time at their family home, Bulstrode Park, and did not look for public jobs in the government.
Helping Others and Special Honors
William Bentinck was one of the first people to help start the Foundling Hospital in London. This hospital was created in 1739 to care for abandoned children.
In 1741, he received a very special honor. He was made a Knight of the Garter. This is one of the highest awards given in Britain. It shows that he was a highly respected person.
The Great Bottle Hoax
William Bentinck is sometimes mentioned in connection with a famous trick that happened in 1749. It was called The Great Bottle Hoax. A large crowd gathered at a theater in London, expecting to see a man jump into a small bottle. It turned out to be a joke!
His Later Life and Legacy
William Bentinck passed away in May 1762 when he was 53 years old. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, a very famous church in London where many important people are laid to rest.
After his death, his oldest son, William, became the 3rd Duke of Portland. This son later became the Prime Minister of Great Britain, a very important leader for the country. The Duchess of Portland, William's wife, lived until 1785.
| Preceded by Henry Bentinck |
Duke of Portland 1726–1762 |
Succeeded by William Cavendish-Bentinck |
