Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond
Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond and 1st Duke of Lennox (29 July 1672 - 27 May 1723), was the illegitimate son of Charles II of England and his mistress Louise de Keroualle, Duchess of Portsmouth.
Lennox was created Duke of Richmond, Earl of March and Baron Settrington in the Peerage of England on 9 August 1675 and Duke of Lennox, Earl of Darnley and Lord Torbolton in the Peerage of Scotland on 9 September 1675, and was invested as a Knight of the Garter in 1681. He was appointed Lord High Admiral of Scotland, under reservation of the commission granted to James, Duke of Albany and York (later James VII) as Lord High Admiral for life. The appointment was therefore only effective between 1701 and 1705, when Lennox resigned all his Scottish lands and offices.
It appears that he was Master of a Lodge in Chichester in 1696, and so was one of the few known seventeenth century freemasons, and certainly one of remarkably high rank.
Married to Anne Brudenell (died 1722), daughter of Francis, Baron Brudenell; with whom he had three children:
- Lady Louisa Lennox, later Countess of Berkeley
- Charles Lennox, Earl of March, later 2nd Duke of Richmond and 2nd Duke of Lennox
- Lady Anne Lennox, later Countess of Albemarle
| Preceded by: In Commission |
Master of the Horse 1679–1685 |
Succeeded by: George Legge, 1st Baron Dartmouth |
| Preceded by: HM King James VII |
Lord High Admiral of Scotland 1701–1705 |
Succeeded by: The Marquess of Montrose |
| Preceded by: New Creation |
Duke of Richmond 1675–1723 |
Succeeded by: Charles Lennox |
| Preceded by: New Creation |
Duke of Lennox 1675–1723 |
