Augustus Berkeley, 4th Earl of Berkeley
Encyclopedia
Lt.-Col. Augustus Berkeley, 4th Earl of Berkeley KT
(18 February 1715/16 – 9 January 1755) was the son of Vice-Admiral James Berkeley, 3rd Earl of Berkeley
and Lady Louisa Lennox.
He was made an ensign
in the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards in November 1734, and succeeded his father on 17 August 1736 as 4th Earl of Berkeley, 12th Baron Berkeley
and 4th Viscount Dursley. In 1737, he was created Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire
and Constable
of St. Briavel's Castle, offices which he held until his death, and was made lieutenant-colonel of the 2nd Regiment of Foot Guards. On 9 June 1739, he was invested as a knight of the Order of the Thistle
. In October of that same year, the Foundling Hospital
received its royal charter
, a charity for which Berkeley was a founding governor.
He married Elizabeth Drax, daughter of Henry Drax and Elizabeth Ernle, on 7 May 1744 and died on 9 January 1755. He was buried on 17 January 1755 at Berkeley, Gloucestershire
.
Order of the Thistle
The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle is an order of chivalry associated with Scotland. The current version of the Order was founded in 1687 by King James VII of Scotland who asserted that he was reviving an earlier Order...
(18 February 1715/16 – 9 January 1755) was the son of Vice-Admiral James Berkeley, 3rd Earl of Berkeley
James Berkeley, 3rd Earl of Berkeley
Vice-Admiral James Berkeley, 3rd Earl of Berkeley KG, PC was the son of Charles Berkeley, 2nd Earl of Berkeley and the Hon. Elizabeth Noel. He was known by the courtesy title of Viscount Dursley prior to succeeding as Earl of Berkeley in 1710...
and Lady Louisa Lennox.
He was made an ensign
Ensign (rank)
Ensign is a junior rank of a commissioned officer in the armed forces of some countries, normally in the infantry or navy. As the junior officer in an infantry regiment was traditionally the carrier of the ensign flag, the rank itself acquired the name....
in the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards in November 1734, and succeeded his father on 17 August 1736 as 4th Earl of Berkeley, 12th Baron Berkeley
Baron Berkeley
The title Baron Berkeley originated as a feudal title and was subsequently created twice in the Peerage of England by writ. It was first granted by writ to Thomas II de Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley, 6th feudal Baron Berkeley, in 1295, but the title of that creation became extinct at the death of...
and 4th Viscount Dursley. In 1737, he was created Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire
Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire
This is a list of people who have served as Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire. Since 1694, all the Lord Lieutenants have also been Custos Rotulorum of Gloucestershire.*Edmund Brydges, 2nd Baron Chandos 1559–?...
and Constable
Constable
A constable is a person holding a particular office, most commonly in law enforcement. The office of constable can vary significantly in different jurisdictions.-Etymology:...
of St. Briavel's Castle, offices which he held until his death, and was made lieutenant-colonel of the 2nd Regiment of Foot Guards. On 9 June 1739, he was invested as a knight of the Order of the Thistle
Order of the Thistle
The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle is an order of chivalry associated with Scotland. The current version of the Order was founded in 1687 by King James VII of Scotland who asserted that he was reviving an earlier Order...
. In October of that same year, the Foundling Hospital
Foundling Hospital
The Foundling Hospital in London, England was founded in 1741 by the philanthropic sea captain Thomas Coram. It was a children's home established for the "education and maintenance of exposed and deserted young children." The word "hospital" was used in a more general sense than it is today, simply...
received its royal charter
Royal Charter
A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...
, a charity for which Berkeley was a founding governor.
He married Elizabeth Drax, daughter of Henry Drax and Elizabeth Ernle, on 7 May 1744 and died on 9 January 1755. He was buried on 17 January 1755 at Berkeley, Gloucestershire
Berkeley, Gloucestershire
Berkeley is a town and civil parish in Gloucestershire, England. It lies in the Vale of Berkeley between the east bank of the River Severn and the M5 motorway within the Stroud administrative district. The town is noted for Berkeley Castle where the imprisoned Edward II was murdered.- Geography...
.