1687

George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham

Categories: Poetry, Politics & Administration

Statesman and poet. Born at the family home Wallingford House (where the Old Admirality Building now is). A baby when his father, the 1st Duke, was assassinated, he was brought up alongside Charles I's own children, the future kings Charles II and James II. Not surprisingly he was a Royalist in the Civil War, and, via Scotland, went into exile with Charles II. At the Restoration he joined the court and was influential in government until 1674 when his Catholic sympathies caused his downfall.

His personal life was lively, involving lovers, scandals and duels. He could be a witty poet; two examples:

"The world's a wood, in which all lose their way,
Though by a different path each goes astray."

"Methinks, I see the wanton hours flee,
And as they pass, turn back and laugh at me."

He returned to public life briefly when James II came to the throne. Retired to his Yorkshire estates where he died.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham

Commemorated ati

Duke of Buckingham, George Villiers "of"

York Place, WC2, formerly Of Alley City of Westminster

Duke of Buckingham's house

Site of the Duke of Buckingham's house 1672. The Corporation of the City of L...

See other memorials in this area

Other Subjects

James Russell Lowell

American Romantic poet, critic, editor, and diplomat.

Person, Poetry, USA

1 memorial

Fernando Pessoa

Poet. Born and died Lisbon.

Person, Poetry, Portugal

1 memorial

Coventry Patmore

Poet and critic. Born at Woodford, Essex. Died Lymington. Web sites giving his poetry are numerous.

Person, Literature, Poetry

2 memorials

John Milton

Poet, essayist, playwright, historian, and diplomat. Born in the house called The Spread Eagle in Bread Street, Cheapside. Left London to study in Cambridge but found all the dull debates in Latin ...

Person, Education, Poetry, Seriously Famous

17 memorials

Arthur Waley

Poet, translator and orientalist. He never actually visited China nor Japan.

Person, Poetry, China/Hong Kong, Japan

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Pope’s Head Tavern

From British History: "...'Pope's Head', mentioned as early as the reign of Edward IV. Here, in the reign of Henry VI., wine was sold at a penny a pint, without charge for bread."

Place, Commerce, Food & Drink

1 memorial