George Lee, 2nd Earl of Lichfield

George Henry Lee I, 2nd Earl of Lichfield (12 March 1690 – 15 February 1743) was the sixth son of Edward Henry Lee, 1st Earl of Lichfield and his wife Charlotte Fitzroy, an illegitimate daughter of Charles II by his mistress, the celebrated courtesan Barbara Villiers. On 14 July 1716 George Henry Lee succeeded his father as the 2nd Earl of Lichfield.

Biography

Titles

• Hon. George Henry Lee, 1690 – 1713;
• Viscount Quarendon, 1713 – 1716;
• 2nd Earl of Lichfield, 14 July 1716 – death.

Accomplishments

The 2nd Earl of Lichfield was educated at St John's College, Oxford and created a D.C.L. of Oxford on 19 August 1732. He was Custos Brevium in the Court of Common Pleas, as well as a Governor of the Foundling Hospital as of 7 August 1739. In 1722 he built the Oxfordshire Stately home, Ditchley, designed by James Gibbs. In 1719 he was one of main subscribers in the Royal Academy of Music (1719), a corporation that produced baroque opera on stage.

Marriage and Issue

He married Frances Hales (d. 3 February 1769), daughter of Sir John Hales, Bart., of Woodchurch, co. Kent; with whom he had issue.

1. George Henry (21 May 1718 – 19 September 1772); his successor
2. Charles Henry (c. 1719 – 1740)
3. Frances (16 December 1721 1723)
4. Edward Henry (c. 1723 – 1742)
5. Frances (21 January 1724 – 29 January 1761), married to Henry Hyde, 5th Baron Hyde
6. Charlotte (c. 1724 – 11 June 1794); married to Henry Dillon, 11th Viscount Dillon
7. Henrietta or Harriet (1726 – 30 April 1752); married to John Bellew, 4th Baron Bellew of Duleek
8. Mary (born c. 1728); married to Cosmo Neville, Esq.
9. Anne (1731 – 9 December 1802); married to Hugh Edward Henry Clifford, 5th Baron Clifford of Chudleigh

Lichfield died on 15 February 1743 in Spelsbury. He was succeeded by his son and namesake, George Henry Lee II.

End of the Line

The 3rd and 4th Earls died without issue so Lichfield's estate eventually reverted to his eldest surviving daughter, Lady Charlotte Lee. In 1744 the Lady Charlotte had married the 11th Viscount Dillon. Their son Charles Dillon, 12th Viscount Dillon inherited the estate of Ditchley but not the title. Ditchley remained the home of the Viscounts Dillon until 1934.

The title was created for a third time when Thomas Anson was created Earl of Lichfield in the 1831 coronation honors of William IV.