George Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax

George Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax PC (c. 1684 – 9 May 1739) was a British politician.

Family

George Montagu was the son of Edward Montagu and Elizabeth Pelham and great-grandson of Henry Montagu, 1st Earl of Manchester,

George Montagu married Ricarda Posthuma Saltonstale (~1689–1711), their daughter Lucy married Francis North and her son was prime minister from 1770 to 1782.

After his first wife's death in 1711 George Montagu married Lady Mary Lumley (1690–1726), daughter of Richard Lumley, 1st Earl of Scarborough and they were to have at least another seven children.

His family's seat was Horton House, Horton, Northamptonshire. This house was demolished in 1936.

Career

He sat as a Member of Parliament for Northampton between 1705 and 1715 and held these appointments:

• Auditor of the Exchequer 1714 until his death
• Privy Councillor 27 November 1717
• Lord Justice 1720

• Eveline Cruickshanks, Stuart Handley, The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1690–1715, ed. D. Hayton, E. Cruickshanks, S. Handley, 2002

Earl of Halifax

Charles Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax was his uncle. A childless widower, Charles took care to ensure his title would pass to George, eldest son of his eldest brother, and George would receive most of his estate. George was obliged to leave the House of Commons when he succeeded his uncle as second Baron Halifax, according to the special remainder. A few weeks after succeeding, he was created Earl of Halifax and Viscount Sunbury, reviving the other titles held by his uncle. Two years later he was admitted to the Privy Council.

George Montagu died in 1739 and was succeeded in his titles by his son by Mary Lumley, George.

Styles of address

• 1684–1705: Mr George Montagu
• 1705–1715: Mr George Montagu MP
• 1715: The Right Honourable The Lord Halifax
• 1715–1717: The Right Honourable The Earl of Halifax
• 1717–1739: The Right Honourable The Earl of Halifax PC