BENTINCK, WILLIAM HENRY CAVENDISH, third Duke of Portland, was born in 1738. During the American war he joined the Opposition; and on the resignation of Lord North he was appointed lord-lieutenant of Ireland, but held that office little more than three months, being recalled when Lord Shelburne came into power. He held the situation of prime minister when the coalition came into power, and went out of office with them. In 1792 he was elected chancellor of the University of Oxford, and shortly afterwards joined Mr Pitt's party. He was home secretary from 1794 till 1801; and in 1807 he succeeded Lord Grenville as first lord of the treasury. He continued in this office till within a short time of his death, October 30, 1809.
The abilities of his Grace were certainly but moderate, and altogether inadequate for the authorship of Junius's Letters, of which, absurdly enough, some have endeavoured to prove him the writer; but his understanding was good, and his political integrity has never been questioned.