(1739 - 1817), e. s. of 3rd D. of Marlborough; sty. M. of Blandford - 1758 when suc. fa. as 4th D.; educ. Eton; army officer, capt. 20 Ft. 1756; m. 1762 Ldy. Caroline Russell, dau. of 4th D. of Bedford; Dilettanti 1765; KG 1768; FRS 1786.
1760 - 1 Turin (by Nov. 1760 - Jan. 1761 - ), Venice (May 1761), Padua (Jun.), Bologna (Jul. - Aug.), Turin (10 Aug.) [London 28 Aug.]
1773 Milan (Apr.)
The Duke of Marlborough travelled in Italy with his brother Lord Charles Spencer. By the beginning of November 1760 they were in Turin, where Lord Charles succumbed to a passion for Mme St-Gilles (the contessa di San Gillio), and where Marlborough was noticed in January 1761.1 In May they were in Venice for Ascension.2 In June they took a house in Padua for the opera season2 and the Duke purchased most of Zanetti's collection of gems at this time.3 Though they had intended to go on to Rome, they decided to return to London for the Coronation of George III on 22 September 1761.2 They turned back from Bologna at the end of July/early August, passing through Turin on 10 August.4 Robert Adam said their absence from Rome was much regretted: Thomas Jenkins had been making 'extraordinary preparations' for their visit and the Abb? Grant had received 'I don't know how many petitions and applications from all ranks, recommending cooks, valets-de-chambres, fencing masters &ca.' The Duke was back in London on 28 August.5
In April 1773 count Ludovico di Barbiano di Belgioioso was recommending that three blind violinists just arrived in Milan should be invited to perform before the Duke of Marlborough in his house there.6
1. Robinson letters mss, vr12330 (4 Nov. 1760). Fitzroy mss, letter 976 (M. Alleon, 9 Jan. 1761). Dutens, Memoirs, 1:249. 2. Wal.Corr., 21:512 and n16. 3. Ibid., 561. 4. SP 105/313, f.573 (Dutens, 12 Aug. 1761). 5. Fleming, Adam, 289 - 90. 6. ASM pe 53, fasc.1773.