Social Victorians/People/Portland

From Wikiversity
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Also Known As[edit | edit source]

  • Family name: Cavendish-Bentinck
  • Duke of Portland[1]
    • William John Arthur Charles James Cavendish-Bentinck, 6th Duke (6 December 1879 – 26 April 1943)[2]
  • Duchess of Portland
    • Winifred Anna Dallas-Yorke Cavendish-Bentinck (11 June 1889 – 30 July 1954)[3]
  • The Dukedom of Portland became extinct in 1990.
  • Other Cavendish-Bentincks were socially active as well.

Acquaintances, Friends and Enemies[edit | edit source]

Organizations[edit | edit source]

George (William George) Cavendish-Bentinck[4][edit | edit source]

  • Cambridge University
  • Member of Parliament for Penryn and Falmouth (1886 – 1895)
  • Trustee, British Museum
  • Private secretary to Henry Holland, 1st Viscount Knutsford, at the Colonial Office[5]
  • Private secretary to Frederick Stanley, 16th Earl of Derby, at the Board of Trade.[5]

William George Frederick Cavendish-Bentinck[6][edit | edit source]

  • Westminster School
  • Trinity College, Cambridge
  • Trustee, British Museum
  • Lincoln's Inn, 1879
  • Secretary of the Royal Commission on Education (1886 – 1888)
  • Lieutenant, Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry Cavalry
  • Fellow, Society of Antiquaries

Timeline[edit | edit source]

1880 August 12, "George" William George Cavendish-Bentinck and Elizabeth Livingston married.[7]

1887 August 8, William George Frederick Cavendish-Bentinck and Ruth Mary St. Maur married.[8]

1889 June 11, William John Arthur Charles James Cavendish-Bentinck and Winifred Anna Dallas-Yorke married.[3]

1892 January 27, Lord Henry Cavendish-Bentinck and Lady Olivia Caroline Amelia Taylour married.[9]

1897 February 26 or 27, Charles Cavendish-Bentinck and Cecily Mary Grenfell married.

1897 July 2, Friday, William and Winifred Cavendish-Bentinck, the Duke and Duchess of Portland attended the Duchess of Devonshire's fancy-dress ball at Devonshire House, as did other Cavendish-Bentincks: a Mr. Cavendish-Bentinck (at 113), a Mrs. Cavendish-Bentinck (at 264), Lord Henry Bentinck (at 262), Lady Henry Bentinck (at 263), and Lady Ottoline Cavendish-Bentinck (at 543).

1902 February, Lady Ottoline Violet Anne Cavendish-Bentinck and Philip Edward Morrell married.[10]

Costume at the Duchess of Devonshire's 2 July 1897 Fancy-dress Ball[edit | edit source]

Relevant people present: William Cavendish-Bentinck, Duke of Portland, at 28; Winifred Cavendish-Bentinck, Duchess of Portland, at 29; George (William George) Cavendish-Bentinck, at 670; Mr. Cavendish-Bentinck, at 113, and Mrs. Cavendish-Bentinck, at 264; Lord Henry Bentinck, at 262, and Lady Henry Bentinck, at 263; Lady Ottoline Cavendish-Bentinck, at 543.

William, Duke of Portland[edit | edit source]

Old portrait of a man with a sash and white lace collar, pointed beard and moustache
Portrait of George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham (by Peter Paul Rubens)

At the Duchess of Devonshire's fancy-dress ball, William Cavendish-Bentinck, Duke of Portland (at 28) was dressed as the Duke of Savoy, probably:

  • "The Duke of Portland (Villiers, Duke of Buckingham), black velvet coat and breeches, with silver, and slashed with white satin, baldrick worked with silver; velvet mantle with white satin and silver embroidery."[11]:p. 34, Col. 1b
  • "Duc di Savoia"[12]:p. 7, Col. 7B
  • "The Duke of Portland as Duc di Savoia."[13]:p. 3, Col. 2c [14] He walked in the 17th-century procession as Duca Filiberto di Savoia.[12]:p. 7, Col. 6b [14]
  • "The Duke of Portland’s costume was copied from the portrait of Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, in the National Gallery, and was carried out in black velvet and white satin with silver embroideries."[15]
  • "The Duke of Portland, as Steenie, Duke of Buckingham, was in black velvet and silver, the Duchess wearing a Louis XIII. dress."[16]:p. 5, Col. 6A

If the Morning Post and the Times (and thus the Evening Mail) are wrong in saying that William, Duke of Portland was dressed as the Duc di Savoia, perhaps this error can be explained by the fact that Winnifred, Duchess of Portland was the Duchess of Savoia, which all the sources agree on. The London Daily News and Pall Mall Gazette are the source of the reports that have him as Duke of Buckingham, newspapers as credible as the Morning Post and the Times for this. "Steenie Villiers" (portrait by Rubens, from 1617–1628, right) was the first Duke of Buckingham, in the reign of Charles I.[17]

Winifred, Duchess of Portland[edit | edit source]

Black-and-white photograph of a standing woman richly dressed in an historical costume with a crown and several strands of pearls
Winifred, Duchess of Portland in costume as Duchess of Savoy. ©National Portrait Gallery, London.

Winifred Cavendish-Bentinck, Duchess of Portland (at 29) sat at Table 1 in the first seating for supper and was dressed as Duchessa di Savoia in the 17th-century procession, though her name is misspelled in the Morning Post as Partland rather than Portland.[12][14]

  • "Duchess of Portland as the Duchessa di Savoia. The latter's dress was of silver brocade embroidered with pearls and diamonds, a train of cloth of silver, lined with pale blue satin and embroidered with pearls, a tiara of sapphires, diamonds, and pearls, and pearl necklace. She was accompanied by Miss Wildred [sic] Grenfell...."[13]:p. 3, Col. 2c
  • She was dressed as the "Duchessa di Savoia. Silver brocade embroidered with pearls and diamonds; train of cloth of silver, lined with pale blue satin and embroidered with pearls; tiara of sapphires, diamonds, and pearls, and pearl necklace. She was accompanied by Miss Mildred Grenfell ...."[12]:p. 7, Col. 7b
  • She was dressed "as Duchessa di Savoia. Silver brocade embroidered with pearls and diamonds, train of cloth of silver lined with pale blue satin and embroidered with pearls, tiara of sapphires, diamonds, and pearls, and pearl necklace. The Duchess was accompanied by Miss Mildred Grenfell as Bianca di Piacoma, whose skirt was of a white satin embroidered with pearls, and train of green brocaded silk."[14]
  • She "wore a magnificent dress as Duchess of Savoy, it was silver brocade resplendent with pearls and diamonds."[12]:p. 7, Col. 4C
  • "The Venetian Court was most picturesque, led by the Duchess of Portland, who looked magnificent in white brocade embroidered with silver, a diamond crown, and ropes of diamonds and pearl, round her neck."[11]:p. 32, Col. 3a
  • She was "At the head of the Venetian procession ..., dressed in white satin."[18]
  • She was "[I]n the Venetian quadrille, wore a lovely silver embroidered satin gown, with a silver train brocaded in grey velvet and silver. Needless to say, her jewels were superb."[15]
  • "The Duchess of Portland was scarcely recognisable in sunny curls, but her dress was lovely, and she wore her favourite high lace collar."[19]:p. 5, Col. 1

This last description, from the Westminster Gazette, does not seem to be accurate for the Winifred, Duchess of Portland, at least based on her portrait in the Album, in which she appears to have brown hair and no high collar.

Alice Hughes's portrait of "Winifred Anna (née Dallas-Yorke), Duchess of Portland as Duchess of Savoy" in costume is photogravure #180 in the album presented to the Duchess of Devonshire and now in the National Portrait Gallery.[20] The printing on the portrait says, "The Duchess of Portland as Duchess of Savoy," with a Long S in Duchess both times.[21]

The Duchess's costume still exists in the Victoria & Albert Museum (images from Twitter, @WikiVictorian here.)

Black-and-white photograph of a standing man richly dressed in an historical costume with a wide-brim hat, a lacy collar and tie
George Cavendish-Bentinck as William, Baron Bentinck, A.D. 1643. ©National Portrait Gallery, London.

George Cavendish-Bentinck[edit | edit source]

George (William George) Cavendish-Bentinck (at 670) was present. Lafayette's portrait of "George Cavendish-Bentinck as William, Baron Bentinck, A.D. 1643" in costume is photogravure #270 in the album presented to the Duchess of Devonshire and now in the National Portrait Gallery.[20] The printing on the portrait says, "Mr George Cavendish-Bentinck as William Baron Bentinck, A.D. 1643."[22]

Mr. and Mrs. Cavendish-Bentinck[edit | edit source]

Mr. Cavendish-Bentinck (at 113) was dressed as a "Gentleman of the Court of Charles II."[12]:p. 8, Col. 1c The Gentlewoman calls this man the Hon. Cavendish Bentinck,[11]:p. 36, Col. 3b–40, Col. 1a suggesting that, whatever honorifics would be associated with his family, he might have been a member of the House of Commons at this time.

Mrs. Cavendish-Bentinck (at 264) was dressed as Grandezza degli Antenati in the Venetians procession.[12][14]

Cavendish-Bentincks Not on This Page[edit | edit source]

Lord Henry Bentinck (at 262) and Lady Henry Bentinck (at 263) are treated on their own, the Cavendish-Bentinck page.

Lady Ottoline Cavendish-Bentinck (at 543) attended with Lord and Lady Cavendish-Bentinck.[14]

Demographics[edit | edit source]

Nationality[edit | edit source]

  • The Cavendish-Bentincks: English
  • Elizabeth Livingston: American

Residences[edit | edit source]

  • Welbeck Abbey, Nottinghamshire
  • Harcourt House, Cavendish Square, London

Family[edit | edit source]

  • Lt.-Gen. Arthur Cavendish-Bentinck (10 May 1819 – 11 December 1877)[23]
  • Elizabeth Sophia Hawkins-Whitshed ( – 4 January 1858)[24]
  1. William John Arthur Charles James Cavendish-Bentinck, 6th Duke of Portland (28 December 1857 – 26 April 1943)[2]
  • Augusta Mary Elizabeth Browne, 1st Baroness Bolsover (8 November 1834 – 7 August 1893)[25]
  1. Lord Henry Cavendish-Bentinck (28 May 1863 – 6 Oct0ber 1931)
  2. Lord William Augustus Cavendish-Bentinck (31 January 1865 – 4 November 1903)
  3. Lord Charles Cavendish-Bentinck (7 October 1868 – 19 June 1956)
  4. Lady Ottoline Violet Ann Cavendish-Bentinck (16 June 1873 – 21 April 1938)


  • William John Arthur Charles James Cavendish-Bentinck, 6th Duke of Portland (28 December 1857 – 26 April 1943)[2]
  • Winifred Anna Dallas-Yorke Cavendish-Bentinck (7 September 1863 – 30 July 1954)[3]
  1. Victoria Alexandrina Violet Cavendish-Bentinck Erskine-Wemyss ( 27 February 1890 – 8 May 1994)
  2. William Arthur Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, 7th Duke of Portland (1893–1977)
  3. Francis Morven Dallas Cavendish-Bentinck (27 July 1900 – 22 August 1950)



  • Lord William Augustus Cavendish-Bentinck (31 January 1865 – 4 November 1903) — died unmarried.



  • Lady Ottoline Violet Ann Cavendish-Bentinck (16 June 1873 – 21 April 1938)[10]
  • Philip Edward Morrell ( – 5 February 1943)[28]

Another Line[edit | edit source]

  • Rt. Hon. George Augustus Frederick Cavendish-Bentinck (9 July 1821 – 9 April 1891)[29]
  • Prudentia Penelope Leslie ( – 22 June 1896)
  1. Christina Anne Jessica Cavendish-Bentinck ( – 2 June 1912)
  2. Mary Venetia Cavendish-Bentinck ( – 2 May 1948)
  3. William George Cavendish-Bentinck (6 March 1854 – 22 August 1909)
  4. William George Frederick Cavendish-Bentinck (26 August 1856 – 13 November 1948)


  • George (William George) Cavendish-Bentinck (6 March 1854 – 22 August 1909)[4]
  • Elizabeth Livingston ( – 4 November 1943)[7]
  1. Mary Augusta Cavendish-Bentinck (10 June 1881 – 9 May 1913)
  2. Ruth Evelyn Cavendish-Bentinck (5 March 1883 – )


  • William George Frederick Cavendish-Bentinck (26 August 1856 – 13 November 1948)[6]
  • Ruth Mary St. Maur (27 October 1867 – 28 January 1953)[8]
    1. Lucy Joan Cavendish-Bentinck ( – 1971)
    2. Ferdinand William Cavendish-Bentinck, 8th Duke of Portland (4 Jul 1888 – 13 Dec 1980)
    3. George Augustus Frederick Cavendish-Bentinck (30 May 1891 – 7 Jun 1892)
    4. Victor Frederick William Cavendish-Bentinck, 9th Duke of Portland (18 Jun 1897 – 30 Jul 1990)
    5. Lady Venetia Barbara Cavendish-Bentinck (1902 – <1990)

Questions and Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. Trying to identify Mr. and Mrs. Cavendish Bentinck. It doesn't seem that Lord Charles and Cecily Grenfell Cavendish Bentinck could be they, because they'd be listed as Lord and Lady? Stepping up the family tree, Lord Frederick Cavendish-Bentinck had two sons who would not have had honorifics: William George Cavendish-Bentinck (6 March 1854 – 22 August 1909) and William George Frederick Cavendish-Bentinck (26 August 1856 – 13 November 1948), both of whom married. "George" (William George) Cavendish-Bentinck did travel in the right circles. The Gentlewoman calls him the Hon. Cavendish Bentinck, and the honorific might help identify him.[11]:36, Col. 3b–40, Col. 1a
  2. Cecily Mary Grenfell's sister, Mildred Grenfell, was present.
  3. With respect to the Duchess of Devonshire's fancy-dress ball, could the newspapers have conflated the Duke and Duchess of Portland with the Duke and Duchess of Partland?
  4. It is not unlikely that sometimes newspapers might call a Cavendish-Bentinck Cavendish or Bentinck instead.
  5. Ottoline Cavendish-Bentinck Morrell is worth pursuing in greater detail. Is she the basis for Violet Greville's last novel, the one about the house of misfits? Did they know each other?
  6. I know that William George Cavendish-Bentinck was called "George" because newspaper articles in the 1893 Morning Post and the 1902 St. James's Gazette call him that with information about his seat in Parliament and position on the Board of Trustees of the British Museum.
  7. Ruth Mary St. Maur was born outside of marriage; her father was Edward Adolphus Ferdinand St. Maur, Earl St. Maur, and her mother was Rosina Elizabeth Swan.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Earl of Portland". Wikipedia. 2020-06-11. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Earl_of_Portland&oldid=961967101. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "William Cavendish-Bentinck, 6th Duke of Portland". Wikipedia. 2020-08-19. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=William_Cavendish-Bentinck,_6th_Duke_of_Portland&oldid=973867668. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Winifred Cavendish-Bentinck, Duchess of Portland". Wikipedia. 2020-06-25. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Winifred_Cavendish-Bentinck,_Duchess_of_Portland&oldid=964406313. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 "William George Cavendish-Bentinck." "Person Page". thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
  5. 5.0 5.1 "William George Cavendish-Bentinck". Wikipedia. 2020-09-13. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=William_George_Cavendish-Bentinck&oldid=978207601. 
  6. 6.0 6.1 "William George Frederick Cavendish-Bentinck." "Person Page". www.thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  7. 7.0 7.1 "Elizabeth Livingston." "Person Page". www.thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  8. 8.0 8.1 "Ruth Mary St. Maur." "Person Page". www.thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  9. 9.0 9.1 "Lady Olivia Caroline Amelia Taylour." "Person Page". www.thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  10. 10.0 10.1 "Lady Ottoline Morrell". Wikipedia. 2020-09-11. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lady_Ottoline_Morrell&oldid=977883166. 
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 “The Duchess of Devonshire’s Ball.” The Gentlewoman 10 July 1897 Saturday: 32–42 [of 76], Cols. 1a–3c [of 3]. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003340/18970710/155/0032.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 "Fancy Dress Ball at Devonshire House." Morning Post Saturday 3 July 1897: 7 [of 12], Col. 4A–8 Col. 2B. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000174/18970703/054/0007.
  13. 13.0 13.1 “The Ball at Devonshire House. Magnificent Spectacle. Description of the Dresses.” London Evening Standard 3 July 1897 Saturday: 3 [of 12], Cols. 1a–5b [of 7]. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000183/18970703/015/0004.
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 "Ball at Devonshire House." The Times Saturday 3 July 1897: 12, Cols. 1A–4C The Times Digital Archive. Web. 28 Nov. 2015.
  15. 15.0 15.1 “The Devonshire House Ball. A Brilliant Gathering.” The Pall Mall Gazette 3 July 1897, Saturday: 7 [of 10], Col. 2A–3A. British Newspaper Archive http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000098/18970703/019/0007.
  16. "Duchess of Devonshire's Fancy Ball. A Brilliant Spectacle. Some of the Dresses." London Daily News Saturday 3 July 1897: 5 [of 10], Col. 6A–6, Col. 1B. British Newspaper Archive http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000051/18970703/024/0005 and http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000051/18970703/024/0006.
  17. "George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham". Wikipedia. 2020-09-29. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=George_Villiers,_1st_Duke_of_Buckingham&oldid=980940877. 
  18. "Duchess of Devonshire's Fancy-Dress Ball. Brilliant Spectacle." The [Guernsey] Star 6 July 1897, Tuesday: 1 [of 4], Col. 1–2. British Newspaper Archive http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000184/18970706/003/0001.
  19. “The Duchess’s Costume Ball.” Westminster Gazette 03 July 1897 Saturday: 5 [of 8], Cols. 1a–3b [of 3]. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002947/18970703/035/0005.
  20. 20.0 20.1 "Devonshire House Fancy Dress Ball (1897): photogravures by Walker & Boutall after various photographers." 1899. National Portrait Gallery https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait-list.php?set=515 (accessed February 2020).
  21. "Duchess of Portland as Duchess of Savoy." Diamond Jubilee Fancy Dress Ball. National Portrait Gallery https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw158543/Winifred-Anna-ne-Dallas-Yorke-Duchess-of-Portland-as-Duchess-of-Savoy (accessed February 2020).
  22. "George Cavendish-Bentinck as William Baron Bentinck." Diamond Jubilee Fancy Dress Ball. National Portrait Gallery https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw158633/George-Cavendish-Bentinck-as-William-Baron-Bentinck-AD-1643 (accessed March 2020).
  23. "Lt.-Gen. Arthur Cavendish-Bentinck." "Person Page". www.thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  24. "Elizabeth Sophia Hawkins-Whitshed." "Person Page". www.thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  25. "Augusta Mary Elizabeth Browne, 1st Baroness Bolsover." "Person Page". www.thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  26. "Lt.-Col. Lord Henry Cavendish-Bentinck." "Person Page". www.thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  27. "Cecily Mary Grenfell." "Person Page". www.thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  28. "Philip Edward Morrell." "Person Page". www.thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  29. "Rt. Hon. George Augustus Frederick Cavendish-Bentinck." "Person Page". www.thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2020-09-28.