Family and Education

b. ?1725, 1st s. of James Brudenell, M.P. (bro. of George, 3rd Earl of Cardigan), by Susan, da. of Bartholomew Burton of North Luffenham, Rutland, sis. of Bartholomew Burton; his sis. m. 1758 Sir Samuel Fluyder. educ. Hackney; Peterhouse, Camb. 7 April 1743, aged 17. unm. suc. fa. 1746.

Offices Held

Equerry to the King 1746-61; clerk comptroller of the Household July 1765-8; clerk of the Board of Green Cloth 1768-Mar. 1782.

Biography

In 1754 Brudenell was returned unopposed for Rutland with Lord Exeter’s support. In 1756 he received a secret service pension of £500 p.a., which he held throughout Newcastle’s term at the Treasury. On George III’s accession he was offered the renewal of his place as equerry, but told Thomas Worsley1 that though ‘he durst not presume to refuse a grace he had no pretension to expect without solicitation, knows how much his Majesty is pressed on all hands for favours, would trouble him for nothing at present, if in time he thinks him worthy he shall be happy to deserve his notice’.

In 1761 Exeter proposed his brother Thomas Cecil Chambers for Rutland, and Brudenell against his inclination was transferred to Exeter’s borough of Stamford, where he was returned unopposed. Brudenell was a close friend of Lord Lincoln, and in October 1762 was mentioned by Newcastle as one who would follow Lincoln if he continued with the court.2 He does not appear in Fox’s list of Members favourable to the peace preliminaries, nor in any list of those voting against them; but to a memorandum of 11 Dec. 1762,3 which notes, ‘George Brudenell went away’, Newcastle added in the margin: ‘against’. Brudenell voted against Grenville’s Administration over Wilkes, 15 Nov. 1763, and general warrants, 6 Feb. 1764; was classed by Newcastle as a ‘sure friend’, 10 May 1764, and given a good place by Rockingham. Henceforth he voted consistently with the court until the fall of North. He was returned unopposed for Rutland at all his subsequent elections, each time with the support of Lord Exeter.

Brudenell did not vote on Shelburne’s peace preliminaries, 18 Feb. 1783; and was classed by Robinson as ‘North, doubtful’. When the Coalition was being formed North considered him for the Admiralty Board, but it is not clear if the offer was ever made.4 Brudenell voted against Fox’s East India bill, 27 Nov. 1783, and supported Pitt. On 18 Apr. 1785 he voted for parliamentary reform. There is no record of his having spoken in the House.

He died 1 Feb. 1801.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: John Brooke

Notes

• 1. Worsley to Bute, n.d., Bute mss.
• 2. Add. 32943, f. 145.
• 3. Add. 33000, ff. 223-4.
• 4. Fortescue, vi. 335.