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William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire

(1748-1811), Lord High Treasurer of Ireland

Mid-Georgian Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter in 8 portraits
The 5th Duke is best known for his first wife Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. He came from one of the wealthiest and most powerful Whig families, but was neither particularly ambitious nor particularly able. He was married twice: first, to Lady Georgiana Spencer; and subsequently to Lady Elizabeth Foster, nee Hervey, daughter of the 4th Earl of Bristol, who had been his mistress and his first wife's friend and confidante in a ménage à trois for more than twenty years. He served as Lord Treasurer of Ireland from 1764 until 1793.

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Mr Fox and his Friends, by William Lane - NPG 2076

Mr Fox and his Friends

by William Lane
black crayon with red and white heightening on tinted paper, circa 1813
NPG 2076

William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire, by John Raphael Smith, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D1752

William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire

by John Raphael Smith, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 1776
NPG D1752

William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire; Georgiana Cavendish (née Spencer), Duchess of Devonshire, by Noble, published by  Alexander Hogg, after  Dodd - NPG D15512

William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire; Georgiana Cavendish (née Spencer), Duchess of Devonshire

by Noble, published by Alexander Hogg, after Dodd
line engraving, published 30 April 1787
NPG D15512

William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire, by Henry Bone, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D17684

William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire

by Henry Bone, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
pencil drawing squared in ink for transfer, August 1811 (exhibited 1776)
NPG D17684

William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire, by W.T. Holland, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D2269

William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire

by W.T. Holland, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 1865
NPG D2269

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