Lord Richard Cavendish (1752–1781)

Lord Richard Cavendish (19 June 1752 – 7 September 1781) was an English nobleman and politician. He was the second son of William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire and his wife, Charlotte.^[1] His sister Dorothy later married British Prime Minister William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland.

Cavendish was educated in Hackney and at Trinity College, Cambridge.^[2]

In 1773, he entered the House of Commons as MP for Lancaster after winning a by-election on 15 September following the death of the incumbent Francis Reynolds. At this time, he moved to No. 1 Savile Row, London, where he resided until 1781.^[1][2] He was one of the few attendees at his brother Devonshire's wedding in 1774.^[1][2] In 1778 and 1779, he served with the navy as a gentleman volunteer.^[3] In 1781, he went abroad in hopes of recovering his failing health; but he continued to decline and died unmarried in Naples.^[1][2]