# William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland

> British politician and prime minister (1738–1809)

**Wikidata**: [Q157208](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q157208)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Cavendish-Bentinck,_3rd_Duke_of_Portland)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/william-cavendish-bentinck-3rd-duke-of-portland

## Summary
William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland was a British politician and prime minister who lived from 1738 to 1809. He is recognized as a significant historical figure within the United Kingdom, having been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society and appointed to the Order of the Garter.

## Biography
- **Born:** 1738
- **Died:** 1809
- **Nationality:** British (associated with Kingdom of Great Britain and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland)
- **Education:**
    - Westminster School
    - University of Oxford
    - Christ Church
- **Known for:** Serving as Prime Minister; political career
- **Field(s):** Politics

## Contributions
William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland is associated with several geographical and artistic contributions through his titles and legacy. His name is linked to the **Portland Vase**, a Roman cameo glass vase created circa 0100. Geographically, his name is tied to the **Portland Canal**, a fjord on the Canada–United States border between Alaska and British Columbia, as well as **North Bentinck Arm** and **South Bentinck Arm**, both bays located in British Columbia, Canada.

## FAQs
**What was William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland's role in society?**
He was a British politician who served as Prime Minister. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society and a recipient of the Order of the Garter.

**Where was William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland educated?**
He received his education at Westminster School and the University of Oxford, specifically attending Christ Church.

**What aliases or titles did William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland hold?**
He held several names and titles, including William Portland, William Henry Bentinck, Marquess of Titchfield, William Titchfield, and William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck.

## Why They Matter
William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland matters as a prominent political figure in British history, having served as Prime Minister during a transitional period that spanned the Kingdom of Great Britain (1707–1800) and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1801–1922). His legacy extends beyond politics into cultural and geographical domains; the association of his name with the Portland Vase highlights a connection to significant Roman art history, while the naming of the Portland Canal and the North and South Bentinck Arms in Canada reflects the geographic reach of his family's influence.

## Notable For
- Serving as Prime Minister of Great Britain.
- Being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
- Receiving the Order of the Garter, a prestigious order of chivalry.
- Association with the Portland Vase, a Roman cameo glass vase.
- Educational ties to Christ Church at the University of Oxford and Westminster School.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland, was born in 1738 and died in 1809. His educational path took him through some of England's most prestigious institutions. He attended **Westminster School**, a public school located in Westminster, London, which was founded in 1179 and later refounded in 1560. Following his time there, he pursued higher education at the **University of Oxford**, a collegiate research university established in 1096. Specifically, he was affiliated with **Christ Church**, a constituent college of the university founded in 1546.

### Political Career and Titles
A British politician by profession, Portland is best known for his tenure as Prime Minister. His life spanned two significant historical political entities: the **Kingdom of Great Britain** (which existed from 1707 to 1800) and the **United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland** (which commenced in 1801). Throughout his life, he was known by various names and titles, including:
- William Portland
- William Henry Bentinck
- William Bentinck
- Marquess of Titchfield
- William Titchfield
- William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck

### Honors and Affiliations
Portland was recognized by several elite institutions and orders. He was a **Fellow of the Royal Society**, an English learned society for science founded in 1660. Additionally, he was appointed to the **Order of the Garter**, an order of chivalry founded in 1348.

### Associated Legacy and Namesakes
The Duke's name is intrinsically linked to several notable entities. The **Portland Vase**, a famous Roman cameo glass vase dating back to approximately 0100, carries his family's name. In terms of geography, his name is preserved in North America through the **Portland Canal**, a fjord marking the border between Canada (specifically British Columbia) and the United States (Alaska). Furthermore, **North Bentinck Arm** and **South Bentinck Arm** are bays located in British Columbia, Canada, also bearing his name.

## References

1. Burke's Peerage
2. Source
3. The Peerage
4. Union List of Artist Names. 2018
5. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
6. International Standard Name Identifier
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. Find a Grave
9. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
10. BnF authorities
11. GeneaStar
12. Dictionary of Irish Biography
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. CERL Thesaurus