Lord George Bentinck (British Army officer)

Lord George Bentinck (17 August 1802 – 23 September 1848) was a British Army officer, politician, and sportsman. He is primarily remembered for his brief but impactful leadership of the protectionist wing of the Conservative Party in the 1840s, opposing Sir Robert Peel's repeal of the Corn Laws.

Born Lord George Frederick Cavendish Bentinck, he was the second son of William Bentinck, 4th Duke of Portland and Henrietta Scott. He received a commission in the 1st Foot Guards (Grenadier Guards) in 1819 and served until 1821.

Bentinck entered Parliament as the Member of Parliament for King's Lynn in 1826, a seat he held until his death. For much of his early parliamentary career, he was a loyal supporter of the Whig Party, primarily through his close association with his uncle, George Canning.

The pivotal point in Bentinck's political life came with the Corn Law crisis. A staunch protectionist, he viewed Peel's decision to repeal the Corn Laws as a betrayal of the agricultural interests and a threat to the landed aristocracy. He fiercely opposed Peel, rallying the protectionist Conservatives and becoming their de facto leader in the House of Commons. He argued passionately for the preservation of agricultural tariffs to protect British farmers from foreign competition. His speeches were characterized by detailed statistical analyses and unwavering conviction.

While Bentinck's leadership was brief, it was highly significant. He successfully fractured the Conservative Party and forced Peel's resignation in 1846. Although he himself lacked the ambition to become Prime Minister, his actions paved the way for the eventual rise of Benjamin Disraeli as the leader of the Conservative Party.

Beyond politics, Bentinck was a prominent figure in the world of horse racing. He owned and bred racehorses and was known for his keen eye for equine talent and his significant gambling wagers. He maintained extensive racing stables and enjoyed considerable success on the turf.

Lord George Bentinck died suddenly in September 1848, reportedly from a heart attack while walking near his home. His death at the relatively young age of 46 brought an abrupt end to his political career. He is remembered as a passionate defender of protectionism, a formidable parliamentary opponent, and a significant, if ultimately unsuccessful, figure in the political landscape of Victorian Britain.