Background
He was born in Hanover Square, the eldest son of Arthur Hill, 2nd Marquess of Downshire and his wife Mary Sandys. He became Marquess of Downshire on the early death of his father in 1801.
He was born in Hanover Square, the eldest son of Arthur Hill, 2nd Marquess of Downshire and his wife Mary Sandys. He became Marquess of Downshire on the early death of his father in 1801.
He was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, gaining his Master of Arts in 1809 and a Data Control Language in 1810.
They had five children:
Arthur Wills Blundell Sandys Trumbull Windsor Hill, 4th Marquess of Downshire (1812–1868)
Lady Charlotte Augusta Hill (30 June 1815 – 24 November 1861), married Sir George Chetwynd, 3rd Baronet and had issue
Captain Lord William Frederick Arthur Montagu Hill (10 July 1816 – 18 March 1844), Scots Greys, killed in a hunting accident
Lady Mary Penelope Hill (3 September 1817 – 15 July 1884), married Alexander Hood, 1st Viscount Bridport and had issue
Arthur Edwin Hill-Trevor, 1st Baron Trevor (1819–1894)
During his early political career, Downshire was identified with the Whigs and supported the reform of Parliament. After the Grey Ministry came to power, he received a succession of appointments, becoming Colonel of the South Down Militia on 25 March 1831 and carrying the second sword at the coronation of William IV on 8 September. He received an LL.D from Cambridge on 6 July 1835.