.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
The present lot is based on the picture in the National Portrait Gallery.
Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and 1st Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne was the eldest son of the 1st Baron Pelham by his second wife Lady Grace Holles. Following the death of his uncle in 1711 (whose name Lord Pelham added to his own) and that of his father the following year, he became one of the greatest landowners in the kingdom. A vigorous Whig supporter, his political spanned over half a century. A protegé of Sir Robert Walpole, he served under him for more than 20 years. Lord Pelham-Holles succeeded his brother Henry Pelham as Prime Minister following his death in 1754. Widely blamed for precipitating the Seven Years War, he was made to resign from his position. In 1765 he became Lord Privy Seal until finally retiring from government in 1767 due to deteriorating health.
He married Lady Harriet Godolphin in 1718, granddaughter of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. The Duchess suffered from poor health and they never had children.
Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and 1st Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne was the eldest son of the 1st Baron Pelham by his second wife Lady Grace Holles. Following the death of his uncle in 1711 (whose name Lord Pelham added to his own) and that of his father the following year, he became one of the greatest landowners in the kingdom. A vigorous Whig supporter, his political spanned over half a century. A protegé of Sir Robert Walpole, he served under him for more than 20 years. Lord Pelham-Holles succeeded his brother Henry Pelham as Prime Minister following his death in 1754. Widely blamed for precipitating the Seven Years War, he was made to resign from his position. In 1765 he became Lord Privy Seal until finally retiring from government in 1767 due to deteriorating health.
He married Lady Harriet Godolphin in 1718, granddaughter of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. The Duchess suffered from poor health and they never had children.