GERMAIN, GEORGE, 1ST VISCOUNT SACKVILLE, third son of Lionel Cranfield Sackville, 1st Duke of Dorset (qv); b. 26 Jan 1715/6; adm. Apr 1723; in school list 1731; Trinity Coll. Dublin, adm. nob. 3 Aug 1731; BA 1733; MA 1734; MP (I) Portarlington 1733-61; called to Irish bar 1734; Clerk of the Privy Council (I) from 1737; entered army as Capt., The Carabiniers 11 Jul 1737; Lieut. -Col., 28th Foot 19 Jul 1740; distinguished himself at battle of Fontenoy May 1745, at which he was wounded and taken prisoner; Col. in the Army 1 Jun 1745; Col., 20th Foot, 9 Apr 1746 – Nov 1749, 12th Dragoons, 1 Nov 1749 – Jan 1750, Carabineers 10 Jan 1750 – Apr 1757; Maj. -Gen., 22 Feb 1755; Col., 2nd Dragoon Guards 5 Apr 1757 – 10 Sep 1759; Lieut. -Gen. of the Ordnance 22 Dec 1757- Sep 1759; Lieut. -Gen., 27 Jan 1758; second-in-command, St. Malo expedition 1758; Commander-in-Chief, British Forces serving with allied army under Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, 1758; disobeyed Prince Ferdinand’s orders to lead cavalry in pursuit of the French at the battle of Minden 1 Aug 1759, and dismissed the service 10 Sep 1759; a subsequent court-martial requested by him found him guilty of disobedience to orders and adjudged him “unfit to serve His Majesty in any military capacity whatever”, 5 Apr 1760; MP Dover 1741-61, Hythe 1761-8, East Grinstead 1768 - 11 Feb 1782; Chief Secretary for Ireland Dec 1750 - Apr 1755; Privy Councillor (I) 19 Jan 1751, struck off list 5 May 1760; Privy Councillor (GB) 27 Jan 1758, struck off list 25 Apr 1760, restored 20 Dec 1765; Joint Vice-Treasurer for Ireland 1765-6; assumed surname of Germain in lieu of Sackville by Act of Parliament 16 Feb 1770, having inherited Drayton estate in Northamptonshire from Lady Elizabeth Germain; fought a duel with Capt. George Johnstone MP in Hyde Park Dec 1770; Chief Commissioner of Trade and Foreign Plantations 10 Nov 1775 - Nov 1779; Secretary of State for the Colonies 10 Nov 1775 – 10 Feb 1782; created Viscount Sackville 11 Feb 1782; DL Sussex 1762; m. 3 Sep 1754 Diana, second dau. of John Sambrooke, and niece of Sir Jeffreys Sambrooke, Bart.; d. 26 Aug 1785. DNB.