Montagu, Charles, 1st Earl of Halifax (1661 -1715)

Charles Montagu was born 16 April 1661, the fourth son of George Montagu of Horton, youngest son of Henry Montagu 1st Earl of Manchester, and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Anthony Irby. He was educated at Westminster School and Trinity College Cambridge, being admitted as a Fellow Commoner in 1679, taking his M.A. and being elected a Fellow of the College, in 1688. He signed the letter of invitation to William III, and took part in the rising in Northamptonshire in his favour. At this point he gave up his intention of taking orders and entered Parliament for Maldon, a seat which he held from 1689 to 1695, and purchased the post of one of the Clerks of the Privy Council. Showing great ability, he was appointed a Lord of the Treasury in 1692, and Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1694. In the Parliament of 1695 he was returned as Member for Westminster. In 1697 he became 1st Lord of the Treasury, and was created Baron Halifax 13 December 1700, with remainder to his brother's son, George. He was elevated to Viscount Sunbury, and Earl of Halifax 19 October 1714. He married in February 1688 Anne, daughter of Sir Christopher Yelverton, Baronet, widow of the Earl of Manchester, but they had no children, and at his death, 19 May 1715, the Earldom and Viscountcy became extinct. His nephew, George, succeeded to the Barony and was created Viscount of Sunbury and Earl of Essex.