Ralph Montagu 1638-1709
Ralph MONTAGU, 1st Duke of Montagu 1638-1709
Biographical Note
Born in London, 2nd son of Edward Montagu, 2nd Baron Montagu of Boughton (1616-1684). Joint keeper of Hartleton Lodge in Richmond Park in 1661; gentleman of the horse for Anne, Duchess of York in 1662. Appointed ambassador-extraordinary in 1669. In 1671 he became master of the great wardrobe, replacing his cousin the Earl of Sandwich. Following a row with Barbara Palmer, Duchess of Cleveland (d.1709), Montagu's diplomatic career came to an end. He served as MP for Northampton and Huntingdon in 1679 and became involved in the exclusion of the Duke of York. Following James' accession in 1685 he lost his post as master of the great wardrobe
He married Elizabeth (d.1690), 6th daughter of Thomas Wriothesley, 4th Earl of Southampton; after her death in 1690, he married Elizabeth, (1654-1734), daughter of Henry Cavendish, 2nd Duke of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Characteristic Markings
Used an engraved armorial bookplate dated 1705; books with his armorial stamp survive.
Sources
- British Armorial Bindings.
- Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903.*11.
- Metzger, Edward Charles. "Montagu, Ralph, first duke of Montagu (bap. 1638, d. 1709), politician and diplomat." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.