Introduction
English earl (1718–1772) George Henry Lee II, 3rd Earl of Lichfield PC (1718–1772) was a British politician and .English earl (1718–1772) George Henry Lee II, 3rd Earl of Lichfield PC (1718–1772) was a British politician and .
He was made a Privy Councillor and Captain of the Gentlemen at Arms in 1762, holding both honours until .He was made a Privy Councillor and Captain of the Gentlemen at Arms in 1762, holding both honours until .
Previously, he had served as member of parliament for Oxfordshire from 1740 until acceding to the peerage in .Previously, he had served as member of parliament for Oxfordshire from 1740 until acceding to the peerage in .
Birth and origins
George was born on 21 May 1718 in .George was born on 21 May 1718 in .
He was the son of George Henry Lee I, 2nd Earl of Lichfield and his wife Frances .He was the son of George Henry Lee I, 2nd Earl of Lichfield and his wife Frances .
His father was the 2nd Earl of Lichfield and a great grandson of King Charles II through his illegitimate daughter Charlotte Fitzroy by his mistress Barbara .His father was the 2nd Earl of Lichfield and a great grandson of King Charles II through his illegitimate daughter Charlotte Fitzroy by his mistress Barbara .
George's mother was a daughter of Sir John Hales, 4th Baronet of Hackington, who had brought her up as a Catholic and was the 2nd Earl of Tenterden in the Jacobite .George's mother was a daughter of Sir John Hales, 4th Baronet of Hackington, who had brought her up as a Catholic and was the 2nd Earl of Tenterden in the Jacobite .
George had two brothers and six sisters, who are listed in his father's .George had two brothers and six sisters, who are listed in his father's .
Early life
From birth he was styled Viscount Quarendon as heir .From birth he was styled Viscount Quarendon as heir .
In the family tradition, he was educated at St John's College, .In the family tradition, he was educated at St John's College, .
On 14 February 1732 he was made an M. A. of .On 14 February 1732 he was made an M. A. of .
In 1740 and from 1741 to 1742, he served as member of parliament (MP) for the county of .In 1740 and from 1741 to 1742, he served as member of parliament (MP) for the county of .
On 15 February 1743, his father died and Viscount Quarendon became the 3rd Earl of .On 15 February 1743, his father died and Viscount Quarendon became the 3rd Earl of .
He continued his law studies at Oxford and earned his D. C. L. of Oxford on 25 August .He continued his law studies at Oxford and earned his D. C. L. of Oxford on 25 August .
23 years later, on 19 August of the year 1760, Lichfield received the great position of High Steward of the University of .23 years later, on 19 August of the year 1760, Lichfield received the great position of High Steward of the University of .
On 9 December 1760, he became Lord of the Bedchamber to King George III; and on 12 July 1762, Captain of the Band of Gentlemen .On 9 December 1760, he became Lord of the Bedchamber to King George III; and on 12 July 1762, Captain of the Band of Gentlemen .
He joined the Privy Council on 14 July .He joined the Privy Council on 14 July .
He replaced George Huddesford as the Deputy Ranger of Hampton Court Park in July .He replaced George Huddesford as the Deputy Ranger of Hampton Court Park in July .
Finally, on 23 September 1762, he assumed the role of Chancellor of the University of .Finally, on 23 September 1762, he assumed the role of Chancellor of the University of .
From the Gentleman's Magazine, XXXIII., p. 349: "The graceful dignity, the political condescension, the ne quid nimis ('Let there be nothing in Excess') of the Chancellor were universally admired" – .From the Gentleman's Magazine, XXXIII., p. 349: "The graceful dignity, the political condescension, the ne quid nimis ('Let there be nothing in Excess') of the Chancellor were universally admired" – .
He became a vice president of the Society of Arts; and a deputy lieutenant for Oxfordshire county on 17 October .He became a vice president of the Society of Arts; and a deputy lieutenant for Oxfordshire county on 17 October .
Marriage
On 16 January 1745, in Bath, Lord Lichfield married Diana or Dinah, daughter and coheir of Sir Thomas Frankland; they had no .On 16 January 1745, in Bath, Lord Lichfield married Diana or Dinah, daughter and coheir of Sir Thomas Frankland; they had no .
Death
Lord Lichfield died on 17 September .Lord Lichfield died on 17 September .
The Earldom of Lichfield passed to his uncle Robert .The Earldom of Lichfield passed to his uncle Robert .
End of the line
The 3rd and 4th earls, George Henry II and Robert Lee respectively, died without issue, therefore the estate eventually reverted to the 2nd Earl's eldest surviving daughter, and sister of the 3rd Earl, Lady Charlotte .The 3rd and 4th earls, George Henry II and Robert Lee respectively, died without issue, therefore the estate eventually reverted to the 2nd Earl's eldest surviving daughter, and sister of the 3rd Earl, Lady Charlotte .
In 1744 Charlotte had married the 11th Viscount .In 1744 Charlotte had married the 11th Viscount .
Their son Charles Dillon, 12th Viscount Dillon inherited the estate of Ditchley but not the .Their son Charles Dillon, 12th Viscount Dillon inherited the estate of Ditchley but not the .
Ditchley remained the home of the Viscounts Dillon until .Ditchley remained the home of the Viscounts Dillon until .
The title would be created for a third time when Thomas Anson would be created Earl of Lichfield in the coronation honours of William IV in .The title would be created for a third time when Thomas Anson would be created Earl of Lichfield in the coronation honours of William IV in .
TimelineAgeDateEvent01718, 21 MayBorn.1727, 11 JunAccession of King George II, succeeding King George I1743, 15 FebSucceeded his father as 3rd Earl of Lichfield1745, 16 JanMarried Diana Frankland1760, 25 OctAccession of King George III, succeeding King George II1772, 17 .