“ During his lifetime he was blamed for insincerity and duplicity, and he incurred the deepest unpopularity, but the accusations came chiefly from those who were dissatisfied with his preference of principles to party, and if he had had a more unscrupulous regard to his personal ambition, his career as a statesman would have had more outward success. ”

“ LANSDOWNE, WILLIAM PETTY FITZMAURICE, 1st Marquess of (1737–1805) , British statesman, better known under his earlier title of earl of Shelburne, was born at Dublin on the 20th of May 1737. He was a descendant of the lords of Kerry (dating from 1181) , and his grandfather Thomas Fitzmaurice, who was created earl of Kerry (1723) , married the daughter of Sir William Petty (q.v.) . ”

“ Henry Petty Fitzmaurice, 3rd marquess of Lansdowne (1780–1863) , son of the 1st marquess by his second marriage, was born on the 2nd of July 1780 and educated at Edinburgh University and at Trinity College, Cambridge. He entered the House of Commons in 1802 as member for the family borough of Calne and quickly showed his mettle as a politician. In February 1806, as Lord Henry Petty, he became chancellor of the exchequer in the ministry of “All the Talents,” being at this time member for the university of Cambridge; but he lost both his seat and his office in 1807. ”