The 5th Duke (1748-1811) married Lady Georgina Spencer, famous for her charm and beloved by all who knew her. She and her great friend Lady Elizabeth Foster were painted several times by Sir Joshua Reynolds and Thomas Gainsborough. Lady Elizabeth became the mistress of the Duke, and had two children by him, but curiously enough this did not interfere with her friendship with Georgina. The menage a trois continued for some years and has been the subject of many books.
The 5th Duke and Georgina lived mostly in London but when they did move to Chatsworth they filled it with friends and relations, writers and politicians. The house was open for people to see round and one one day a month dinner was provided for whoever came. John Carr of York (1723-1807) was commissioned by the Duke to redesign the decoration and furnishings of the private drawing rooms of the first floor at Chatsworth and build the Crescent in Buxton.
There were three children of the marriage. The eldest, Georgina, married the 6th Earl of Carlisle and became the mother of Lady Blanche Howard who married her cousin William, who eventually became the 7th Duke of Devonshire.
The 5th Duke (1748-1811) married Lady Georgina Spencer, famous for her charm and beloved by all who knew her. She and her great friend Lady Elizabeth Foster were painted several times by Sir Joshua Reynolds and Thomas Gainsborough. Lady Elizabeth became the mistress of the Duke, and had two children by him, but curiously enough this did not interfere with her friendship with Georgina. The menage a trois continued for some years and has been the subject of many books.
