THOMAS OSBORNE OF DANBY
(1631 - 1712)

1st Duke Of Leeds

Thomas Osborne, Earl of Danby, Marquis of Carmarthen, and Duke of Leeds was born on February 20, 1631/32, the son of Sir Edward Osborne and his wife, Anne. He spent his early years at the family estate of Kiveton in Yorkshire and succeeded his father as second baronet in 1647. In 1651 he married Bridget Bertie, 2nd daughter of Montagu Bertie, 2nd Earl of Lindsey,  and they had eight children, five daughters and three sons among whom are; Edward, Viscount Latimer, b. 1655; Peregrine, Duke of Leeds 2nd; Anne; Bridget; Catherine; Sophie; and Martha.

In 1661 he was appointed High Sheriff of Yorkshire, probably through the influence of the Duke of Buckingham, his patron. He served as a member of Parliament for York (1665-73), Joint Commissioner of Public Accounts (1667); Joint Treasurer of the Navy (1668-71), and Treasurer of the Navy (1671-73).  His administrative skills earned him the favor of Charles II and in 1673 he was appointed to the office of Lord High Treasurer. A year later, he was created Earl of Danby.

A staunch royalist, he was also a fervent Anglican and thus opposed to alliance with France. He ended (1674) England's participation in the third Dutch War and arranged (1677) the marriage of Princess Mary to the Dutch William of Orange.  However, while telling Parliament that he was raising money for war with France, he was at the same time negotiating reluctantly at Charles II's behest for a French alliance (1677). Impeached for treasonable communications with the French (1678), he was imprisoned (1679)  in the Tower of London and refused bail by the House of Commons. He resigned from his office as Lord Treasurer in March 1679.

Danby remained in the Tower for five years, during which time he made unremitting efforts to secure his freedom, appealing to both the king and Parliament. He finally was released on bail in 1684. The order of impeachment against him was annulled a year later. In subsequent years, Danby took an active part in opposition to the government. He was one of the seven noblemen to sign an invitation to Prince William of Orange in 1688. After the Revolution, he served as the Lord President of the Council (1688-99). He was disliked by many of his fellow courtiers, one of whom described the earl as "a thin, ill-natured ghost that haunts the king". In 1689 he was created Marquis of Carmarthen and in 1694 he became Duke of Leeds. He served as the Lord Lieutenant of the West Riding (1674-79, 1689-99), the East Riding (1691-99), and of the North Riding (1692-99).  He died on July 26, 1712 at the age of 81 and was buried at Harthill, in Yorkshire.

All Saints church who's crypt contains the 1st Duke of Leeds, Thomas Osbourne

SOURCES:

http://webtext.library.yale.edu/sgml2html/beinecke.danby.sgm.html
Copyright © 1990 by the Yale University Library.

http://www.bartleby.com/65/da/Danby-Th.html

http://www.dcs.hull.ac.uk/cgi-bin/gedlkup/n=royal?royal14964

Descendants of the Duke of Leeds
http://www.bmajor.dircon.co.uk/Edwards/Leeds.html

Photo of All Saints Church
http://www.j31.co.uk/hartchu2.html