Sackville, George, 1st Viscount Sackville (1716 -1785)

Lord George Sackville was the third son of Lionel Cranfield Sackville, 1st Duke of Dorset, and Elizabeth, daughter of Lieutenant General Walter Philip Colyear. He was educated at Westminster School and Trinity College, Dublin, where he took his B.A. in 1733, and his M.A. in 1734. On 23 April 1737, he was appointed Clerk to the Council in Dublin, and in July 1737 a Captain in the 7th Horse, and enjoyed a distinguished career in the army, reaching the rank of Lieutenant General. But in 1760 he was court martialled for refusing to obey an order of Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, and deprived of his commission. He was Member of Parliament for Dover 1741 1761, and was also returned at the election in 1761 for East Grinstead in Sussex and Hythe in Kent, and chose to sit for the latter. His disgrace was short lived. In 1765 his father died and he succeeded to the Knole Park estates, and was appointed to the post of joint Vice Treasurer for Ireland. In 1768 he became Member of Parliament for East Grinstead, a seat that he held until 1782, and became a firm supporter of Lord North. In 1770 he assumed the surname of Germain in accordance with the will of Sir John and Lady Elizabeth Germain of Drayton Manor in Northamptonshire. In 1775 he was appointed Lord Commissioner of Trade and the Colonies, a post which he held until 1779, and Secretary of State for the Colonies which he held until 1782. In 1782 he was created Baron Bolebroke and Viscount Sackville of Drayton Manor. He married, 3 September 1754, Diana, second daughter and coheir of John Sambroke. His library was sold by Riley of Pall Mall 28 June 1786.The library of George Germaine-Sackville, first Viscount Sackville was sold by auction by Riley of Pall-Mall 28 June 1786.