the first duke of Devonshire, and one of the most distinguished patriots in the British annals, was born in 1640. In 1677, being then member for Derby, he vigorously opposed the venal measures of the court; and, the following year, was one of the committee appointed to draw up articles of impeachment against the lord treasurer Danby. In 1679, being re-elected to serve for Derby in a new parliament, Charles II. thought fit to make him a privy counsellor; but he soon withdrew from the board, with his friend Lord Russel, when he found that Popish interest prevailed. He carried up the articles of impeachment to the house of lords, against Lord-chief-justice Scroggs, for his arbitrary and illegal proceedings in the court of king's bench; and when the king declared his resolution not to sign the bill for excluding the duke of York (afterwards James II.) he moved the house of commons, that a bill might be brought in for the association of all his majesty's Protestant subjects. He also openly named the king's evil counsellors, and voted for an address to remove them from his presence and councils for ever. He nobly appeared at Lord Russel's trial, in defence of that great man, at a time when it was scarce more criminal to be an accomplice than a witness for him. The same fortitude, activity, and love of his country, animated this illustrious patriot to oppose the arbitrary proceedings of James II.; and when he saw there was no other method of saving the nation from impending slavery, he was the foremost in the association for inviting over the prince of Orange, and the first nobleman who appeared in arms to receive him at his landing. He was created duke of Devonshire in 1694, by William and Mary. His last public service was in the union with Scotland, for concluding of which he was appointed a commissioner by Queen Anne. He died in 1707, and ordered the following inscription to be put on his monument.

Williamus dux Devon, Bonorum Principum Fidelis subditus, Inimicus et Invisus Tyrannis. William duke of Devonshire, Of good Princes the faithful Subject, The Enemy and Aversion of Tyrants.

Besides being thus estimable for public virtues, his grace was distinguished by his literary accomplishments. He had a poetical genius, which showed itself particularly in two pieces written with equal spirit, dignity, and delicacy: these are, an Ode on the Death of Queen Mary; and an allusion to the archbishop of Cambrey's Supplement to Homer. He had great knowledge in the languages, was a true judge in history, and a critic in poetry; he had a fine hand in music, an elegant taste in painting, and in architecture had a skill equal to any person of the age in which he lived. His predecessor, Sir John Cavendish, was the person who killed the famous Wat Tyler in 1381.