Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 55.djvu/313

 ministry; but when the news arrived of the outbreak of the rebellion of 1715 (August) his voice was raised most loyally in support of the dynasty (, i. 468, 508). Shortly before this (July) he had resigned his office as lord chamberlain. His health seems gradually to have broken down; and when the asthma, to which he had become subject, was complicated by a fever, he succumbed. He died on 1 Feb. 1717–18 at his seat, Isleworth in Middlesex. Shortly before his death he had declared himself before his household a member of the church of England, and had received the sacrament according to her rites. He left no issue, and on his death the dukedom became extinct, and the earldom passed to his first cousin, Gilbert Talbot, thirteenth earl of Shrewsbury (1670–1743). His widow died 29 June 1726.

In the career and character of Shrewsbury much that may at first sight seem paradoxical admits of easy explanation. Of a magnanimous disposition and a generous temper, he on more than one important occasion in his career, which also happened to be a decisive moment in the political affairs of the nation, acted on the impulses within him, thereby contributing very directly to great and beneficial results. Thus, when the grand style in which he bore himself and the rare charm of his manner are taken into account, it is not surprising that he should have become, in Swift's phrase, ‘the favourite of the nation.’ On the other hand, a want of moral stability and a tendency to brooding combined with weak health to make him repent at leisure, and to spend much of his life in torturing himself about the consequences of what he had done. He was never able wholly to identify himself with the whigs, while his junction with the tories ended in bringing them disaster. He was one of the chief movers in the revolution, and proved staunch in the moment of trial to the cause of the protestant succession; but, as in the earlier part of his career, there cannot be any reasonable doubt that he endeavoured by his intrigues with St. Germains to secure himself a retreat in case of emergency.

As to the personal attractions of Shrewsbury there is a general consensus of testimony. William III called him ‘the king of hearts,’ and, according to Burnet, was fonder of him than of any other of his ministers. Swift speaks of him as the ‘finest gentleman we have;’ and it seems certain that his accomplishments and intelligence were in harmony with the graceful courtesy of his bearing and the beauty of his person. This last was, however, marred by a blemish in one eye, which Lady Sunderland described as ‘offensive to look upon’ (, Diary, i. 239), and which is mentioned by other contemporaries. His picture was painted by both Lely and Kneller; the former is at the Charterhouse.

[For Shrewsbury's career from the revolution to the close of the century the chief authority is the Private and Original Correspondence of Charles Talbot, Duke of Shrewsbury, with King William, leaders of the Whig Party, &c., by Archdeacon Coxe, 1821 (it is here cited as ‘Correspondence’). This collection includes a few of the letters addressed to Shrewsbury by James Vernon, secretary of state, and published under the title of ‘Letters illustrative of the Reign of William III,’ from 1696 to 1708, by the late G. P. R. James, 3 vols. 1841. An anonymous Life of Charles, Duke of Shrewsbury, was published in 1718, on which Collins appears to have largely founded his biographical sketch in vol. iii. of the Peerage of England (5th edit. 1779). See also Doyle's Official Baronage, vol. iii. and G. E. C[okayne]'s Complete Peerage.]

 TALBOT, CHARLES, (1685–1737), lord chancellor, eldest son of William Talbot (1659?–1730) [q. v.], successively bishop of Oxford, Salisbury, and Durham, by Catharine, daughter of Richard King, alderman of London, was baptised at Chippenham on 21 Dec. 1685. He was educated at Eton and Oriel College, Oxford, whence he matriculated on 25 March 1701–2. He graduated B.A. on 12 Oct. 1704, being elected fellow of All Souls' the same year, and was created D.C.L. on 29 Aug. 1735. He received the Lambeth degree of LL.B. on 26 April 1714, and about the same time was nominated by his father to the chancellorship of the diocese of Oxford, which he retained until his elevation to the woolsack. Talbot was at first destined for the church, but, by the advice of Lord Cowper, exchanged divinity for law, and was admitted on 28 June 1707 a student at the Inner Temple, where by special grace, before he had kept the full number of terms then required, he was called to the bar on 11 Feb. 1710–11. He was elected bencher on 6 May 1726, treasurer on 19 Nov. following, and Lent reader on 11 Feb. 1726–7. On 31 Jan. 1718–19 he was admitted a member of Lincoln's Inn, of which society he was elected in 1726 bencher (11 May), treasurer (27 July), and master of the library (28 Nov.) On 31 May 1717 he was appointed solicitor-general to the Prince of Wales. On 15 March 1719–1720 he was returned to parliament for Tregony, Cornwall; in the parliaments of 1722–7 and 1727–34 he represented Durham. On the meeting of parliament, 9 Oct.