Background
Ponsonby was the eldest son of William Ponsonby, 2nd Earl of Bessborough, and Lady Caroline Cavendish, daughter of William Cavendish, 3rd Duke of Devonshire. He succeeded to his father"s titles in 1793.
Ponsonby was the eldest son of William Ponsonby, 2nd Earl of Bessborough, and Lady Caroline Cavendish, daughter of William Cavendish, 3rd Duke of Devonshire. He succeeded to his father"s titles in 1793.
He was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, and obtained the degrees of Master of Arts and Doctor of Civil Law.
He sat in the House of Commons as member for Knaresborough from 1780 until his succession to the peerage and was a Lord of the Admiralty in 1782-1783
The marriage was notoriously unhappy and Bessborough began divorce proceedings in 1790 but under intense pressure from his relatives dropped them. They had four children:
John Ponsonby, 4th Earl of Bessborough (1781–1847). Major General Sir Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby (1783–1837).
Lady Caroline Lamb (1785–1828).
Her husband was the 2nd Viscount Melbourne, the Prime Minister, however, she was never the Viscountess Melbourne because she died before he succeeded to the peerage. Hence, she is known to history as Lady Caroline Lamb.
William Francis Spencer, 1st Baron de Mauley (1787–1855). Lady Bessborough died in 1821 of a chill caught while traveling abroad.
Her husband outlived her by more than 20 years, dying at Canford House, Dorset in 1844.
Bessborough usually made a favourable first impression: quiet, but with "the most mild and amiable manner". On the other hand he was a notoriously bad husband, alternating between neglecting Henrietta and insulting her in public. While there were faults on both sidesshe was addicted to gambling and had numerous affairssociety in general judged him to be the greater offender.
15th Parliament of Great Britain. 16th Parliament of Great Britain. 17th Parliament of Great Britain.