Two events in his life were remarkable, given the era he lived in and the position he held in society as a duke: firstly, he obtained a divorce at a time when that required an act of parliament. Secondly, despite the great wealth he was born to, he declared bankruptcy with debts of over a million pounds in 1847.
Oriel College.
He served as Lord Privy Seal between 1841 and 1842. Born at Stowe, Buckinghamshire, the Duke of Buckingham was the son of the Earl Temple (later created the 1st Duke of Buckingham and Chandos) and Lady Anne, daughter of the 3rd Duke of Chandos. He was a paternal grandson of the 1st Marquess of Buckingham and a great-grandson of Prime Minister George Grenville.
He was educated at Eton and Oriel College, Oxford.
Two years later, in September 1841, he was sworn of the Privy Council and appointed Lord Privy Seal by Sir Robert Peel, a post he held only until February 1842.
6th United Kingdom Parliament. 7th United Kingdom Parliament. 8th United Kingdom Parliament.
9th United Kingdom Parliament.
10th United Kingdom Parliament. 11th United Kingdom Parliament.
12th United Kingdom Parliament. 13th United Kingdom Parliament]
Buckingham sat as Member of Parliament for Buckinghamshire between 1818 and 1839, when he succeeded his father in the dukedom and entered the House of Lords.
