PORTRAIT OF THOMAS PELHAM-HOLLES, 1ST DUKE OF NEWCASTLE (1693-1768), STANDING, THREE-QUARTER-LENGTH, IN A BROWN VELVET COAT, LEANING ON A PLINTH, A GARDEN WITH A CLASSICAL STATUE BEYOND

THOMAS PELHAM WAS THE ELDEST SON OF SIR THOMAS PELHAM, 1ST BT., OF LAUGHTON (1653-1712), (SEE LOT 121), BY HIS SECOND WIFE, LADY GRACE HOLLES, DAUGHTER OF GILBERT HOLLES, 3RD EARL OF CLARE, AND YOUNGER SISTER OF THE 1ST DUKE OF NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, TO WHOSE ESTATE THOMAS SUCCEEDED, AS WELL AS TO HIS FATHER'S. HE STUDIED AT WESTMINSTER SCHOOL AND CLARE COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. HE WAS CREATED EARL OF CLARE IN 1714, AND DUKE OF NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE IN 1715. IN 1718 HE BECAME A KNIGHT OF THE GARTER, AND MARRIED LADY HENRIETTA GODOLPHIN (SEE LOT 42).
HIS SUCCESS AS A WHIG STATESMAN WAS SUCH THAT HE WAS PRIME MINISTER FOR SIX YEARS AFTER THE DEATH OF HIS BROTHER, HENRY PELHAM (SEE LOT 117), FROM 1754-1762 (IN TWO SEPARATE PERIODS). THE PRECIPITATION OF THE SEVEN YEARS WAR ULTIMATELY LED NEWCASTLE TO RESIGN, AND AFTER HIS SECOND TERM HE SERVED FOR A SHORT WHILE IN LORD ROCKINGHAM'S GOVERNMENT AS LORD PRIVY SEAL, BUT HIS HEALTH WAS SUCH THAT HE DIED SHORTLY AFTER IN NOVEMBER 1768.