William Cavendish, 2nd Duke of Devonshire


William Cavendish, 2nd Duke of Devonshire was a British nobleman and politician. He was the eldest son of William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Devonshire and Lady Mary Butler. A prominent Whig, he was sworn of the Privy Council in 1707, and served as Lord President of the Council from 1716 to 1717 and 1725 to 1729.
He married The Hon. Rachel Russell, daughter of William Russell, Lord Russell on 21 June 1688. The Duchess served as a Lady of the Bedchamber at the court of Queen Anne.
They had five children:
  1. William Cavendish, 3rd Duke of Devonshire
  2. Lady Rachel Cavendish married Sir William Morgan on 14 May 1723
  3. Lady Elizabeth Cavendish married Sir Thomas Lowther, 2nd Baronet
  4. Lord James Cavendish
  5. Lord Charles Cavendish married Anne Grey on 9 January 1727, father of Henry Cavendish