HOLLES (Thomas Pelham), duke of Newcastle, was born in 1693, and succeeded his father as baron Pelham of Loughton: by the last will of his uncle John Holles duke of Newcastle, who died in 1711, he was adopted heir to his great estate, and empowered to bear the arms and name of Holles, together with the title of duke of Newcastle upon Tyne. His power and interest
interest were now very great, and he exerted both in supporting George I. against the Tory party that opposed him. The whole weight of authority had for some time been in the hands of the tories at the accession of this king, while the whigs remained without credit or influence: but this state of affairs was now reversed; and the duke of Newcastle, among the rest, was distinguished by the royal favour. He was created duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne, with remainder to the female issue of his brother the honourable Henry Pelham; was made lord chamberlain of the king's household, and a knight of the garter; and was one of the peers commissioned to sign the quadruple alliance in 1718. In 1724, he resigned the place of lord chamberlain, and was appointed secretary of state. It would be tedious to trace him farther through his places and honours: it need therefore only be added, that after his long services to the crown, he gave way to lord Bute, who succeeded him in 1762 as first lord of the treasury. Quitting now the fatigues of business, he lived in retirement to his death in 1768, leaving the character of a most disinterested patriot; having greatly impoverished his private estate during his public services, and retiring without accepting any pension.