SHEFFIELD (John) duke of Buckinghamshire, one of the finest writers of the last and present century, of great personal bravery, and an able minister of state, was born about 1646. He lost his father at nine years of age; and his mother marrying with lord Ofsulton, the care of his education was left entirely to a governor, who did not greatly improve him in his studies. Finding that he was deficient in many parts of literature, he resolved to devote a certain number of hours every day to his studies; and thereby improved himself to the degree of learning he afterwards attained. Though possessed of a good estate, he did not abandon himself to pleasure and indolence, but offered to go a volunteer in the second Dutch war; and accordingly was in that famous naval engagement where the duke of York commanded as admiral: on which occasion his lordship behaved so gallantly, that he was appointed commander of the Royal Catherine. He afterward made a campaign in the French service, under M. de Turenne. As Tangier was in danger of being taken by the Moors, he offered to head the forces which were sent to defend it; and accordingly was appointed commander of them. He was then earl of Mulgrave, and one of the lords of the bed-chamber to king Charles II. The Moors retired on the approach of his majesty's forces; and the result of the expedition was the blowing up of Tangier. He continued in several great posts during the short reign of king James II. till that unfortunate prince was de-throned. Lord Mulgrave, though he paid his respects to king William before he was advanced to the throne, yet he did not accept of any post in the government till some years after. In the sixth year of William and Mary, he was created marquis of Normanby in the county of Lincoln. He was one of the most active and zealous opposers of the bill which took away Sir John Fenwick's life; and exerted the utmost vigour in carrying through those two admirable bills, the Treason Bill, and that for Triennial Parliaments. He
He enjoyed some considerable posts under king William, and was generally pretty well in his favour and confidence. In 1702, he was sworn lord privy-seal; and in the same year was appointed one of the commissioners to treat of an union between England and Scotland. In 1703, he was created duke of Normandy, and soon after duke of Buckinghamshire. In 1711, he was made steward of her majesty's household, and president of the council. During queen Anne's reign he was but once out of employment; and then he resigned it himself, being attached to what were called the Tory principles. Her majesty offered to make him lord chancellor; which post he refused. He was instrumental in the change of the ministry in 1710. A circumstance that reflects the highest honour on him is, the vigour with which he acted in favour of the unhappy Catalans, who afterward were so inhumanly sacrificed. He was survived by only one legitimate son, (who died at Rome in 1735); but left several natural children. His worst enemies allowed him to have lived always very kindly with his last wife, natural daughter to king James II. the late duchess of Buckingham, a lady who always behaved with a dignity suitable to her high birth and quality. He died in 1721, aged 75 years; and his works speak him one of the most beautiful prose-writers and greatest poets of this age, which is also proved by the testimonies of the finest writers his contemporaries. His writings were splendidly printed in 1723, in two volumes 4to; and have since been reprinted in 1729, in two vols 8vo. The first contains his poems on various subjects: the second, his prose works; which consist of historical memoirs, speeches in parliament, characters, dialogues, critical observations, essays, and letters. It may be proper to observe, that the edition of 1729 is castigated; some particulars relating to the revolution in that of 1723 having given offence.