Christopher Monck 1650-1688

Christopher MONCK, 2nd Duke of Albemarle 1650-1688

Biographical Note

Born in London, the only surviving son of George Monck (1608-1670), 1st duke of Abermarle. Entered Gray's Inn 1662. MP for Devon 1667, elevated to the peerage in 1670 following his father’s death: he became a Gentleman of the Bedchamber and a Knight of the Garter that year, a Privy Councillor and Lord Lieutenant of both Devon and Essex in 1675, of Wiltshire in 1681, colonel of the Queen's regiment in 1678 and chancellor of Cambridge University in 1682. Though initially one of the rakes associated with the Duke of Monmouth, Monck fought against the Monmouth rebellion in 1685. His performance was poor, resulting in his resignation of his army commission and lord lieutenancies. He was made Governor of Jamaica in 1687. He married Lady Elizabeth Cavendish (1654-1734), but the couple had no children.

Books

Books with his armorial stamp, probably also used by his father, survive. The library passed through his wife’s second marriage to the Duke of Montagu.

Sources

• Armorial Bindings.
• History of Parliament.
• Clifton, Robin. "Monck, Christopher, second duke of Albemarle (1653–1688), army officer and colonial governor." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.