Papers of William John Cavendish-Bentinck-Scott, 5th Duke of Portland (1800-1879)

The correspondence of the 5th Duke is unusual in its extensive coverage of matters concerning his estates, houses and other properties. Its volume was undoubtedly related to his reclusive habits, and preference for written instructions and reports rather than communication in person. The correspondence is largely from the duke's various agents and solicitors, dealing with estate matters and with his special projects. He took a very detailed and informed interest in the carrying out of his various building enterprises.

By comparison with the archives of other members of his family, there is relatively little of national political significance in the papers. He did not actively pursue his political interests. It was however virtually impossible for a figure of his position to be immune from contemporary concerns, and he numbered Canning, Disraeli and Palmerston among his correspondents.

There is inevitably a significant amount of correspondence with family, aristocrats and clergy. The miscellaneous section contains correspondence, bills, lists, testimonials, and many papers relating to the Welbeck collection of miniatures.

The Collection is divided into two series, reflecting its arrangement on acquisition from Welbeck. The first consists of letters to the Duke, and the second series contains miscellaneous papers.

<span class="wrapper"><p>Letters to 6th and 7th Viscounts Galway (GB 0159 Ga)</p> <p>Letters to his sister Charlotte Denison, Viscountess Ossington (GB 0159 Pw N 1-32)</p> <p>Letters to his father William, 4th Duke of Portland (GB 0159 Pw H 347-392)</p> <p>Portland (London) Collection (GB 0159 P1)</p> <p>Correspondence of the 5th Duke of Portland concerning Harcourt House (GB 0159 PHH)</p> <p>Papers of Professor A.S. Tuberville (GB 0159 Tp)</p> <p>Durham University Library</p> <p>Northumberland Record Office</p> <p>Nottinghamshire Archives Office</p></span>

• <persname>Scott, William J, Cavendish-Bentinck-, 1800-1879, 5th Duke of Portland</persname>
• <persname>Bentinck-Scott, William J, Cavendish-, 1800-1879, 5th Duke of Portland</persname>
• <persname>Cavendish-Bentinck-Scott, William J, 1800-1879, 5th Duke of Portland</persname><famname>Cavendish-Bentinck family, Dukes of Portland</famname>
• <famname>Bentinck, Cavendish-, family, Dukes of Portland</famname>

Photocopies and photographic copies can be supplied for educational use and private study purposes only depending on the condition of the documents.

Identification of copyright holders of unpublished material is often difficult. Permission to make any published use of any material from the collection must be sought in advance in writing from the Keeper of the Department of Manuscripts and Special Collections (email: mss-library@nottingham.ac.uk). The Department will try to assist in identifying copyright owners but the responsibility for copyright clearance before publication ultimately rests with the reader.

Accessible to all registered readers.

These papers constitute part of the Portland (Welbeck) Collection (GB 0159 Pw) and were received from the 7th Duke of Portland in the first deposit from Welbeck Abbey in 1949. A second deposit was received in 1968. By the Duke's express wish the family archives were divided between The University of Nottingham (political and family correspondence); Nottinghamshire Archives Office (Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Northumberland estate papers); British Library (Harley family papers); Hampshire Record Office (papers relating to the Dukes' Hampshire estate) and the Bodleian Library (Civil War papers of Reverend John Nalson). The entire Portland archive from Welbeck was accepted by the state in lieu of estate duty in 1986.

William John Cavendish Bentinck-Scott, 5th Duke of Portland (1800-1879), lived a reclusive life at Welbeck Abbey, Nottinghamshire. Although he was M.P. for King's Lynn from 1824-1826 he took no active part in politics in later years, allowing three years to pass between his succeeding to the dukedom and first taking his seat in the House of Lords. He did, however, have a wide-ranging network of family and friends with whom he maintained an extensive correspondence. He undertook major developments on the house and estate at Welbeck, and was actively involved in the management of the wider Portland estates, both of which activities are reflected in his papers