Regency Personalities Series-Charles Sackville-Germain 5th Duke of Dorset

Regency Personalities Series

In my attempts to provide us with the details of the Regency, today I continue with one of the many period notables.

Charles Sackville-Germain 5th Duke of Dorset

27 August 1767 – 29 July 1843

Charles Sackville-Germain 5th Duke of Dorset was known briefly as Charles Sackville before 1770, as The Hon. Charles Germain between 1770 and 1785, and as The Viscount Sackville between 1785 and 1815, was a British peer, courtier and Tory politician. He served as Master of the Horse between 1821 and 1827 and again briefly in 1835.

 

Born Charles Sackville, he was the eldest son of Lord George Sackville. His father changed the family surname to Germain in 1770 and was created Viscount Sackville in 1782. Dorset re-incorporated the former surname as a double-barrelled one later in life.

Dorset succeeded his father in the viscountcy in 1785. In 1815 he also succeeded his cousin in the dukedom of Dorset. In 1821 he was sworn of the Privy Council and appointed Master of the Horse under Lord Liverpool. Serving in that office until 1827 and again briefly under Sir Robert Peel from January to April 1835, he was also appointed a Knight of the Garter in 1826.

Dorset died unmarried and childless in 1843 and all of his titles became extinct. His memorial is in St Peter’s Church, Lowick, Northamptonshire. It comprises a white marble chest-tomb by Richard Westmacott and has a draped mantle, shield and coronet with a human sized angel seated alongside.