George Sackville Germain, first Viscount Sackville (1716-1785)
Third son of Lionel Sackville, first duke of Dorset, known as Lord Sackville until 1770, when he took the name Germain having inherited estates from Lady Elizabeth Germain. Entered the army only after university, lieutenant-colonel of the 28th Foot at Fontenoy (1745), where he distinguished himself, although was captured. He rose through the ranks to major-general in 1755, and played an
important part in the Seven Years War until the battle of Minden (1759), where he was in charge of the British contingent. During the battle he ignored orders to charge the retreating French, allowing them to escape, after which he was court-marshalled, judged to be unfit to hold any military post, and dismissed from the Privy Council. Ironically, his disgrace endeared him to the future George III, who was very hostile to the actions of his grandfather George II and his governments, and when George III came to the throne, Sackville was restored. From 1775 to 1782 he was secretary of state for America, and as such played a key part in planning the British effort during the War of American Independence, a role in which he did not shine.
How to cite this article: Rickard, J. (10 November 2000), Germain, George Sackville, first Viscount Sackville (1716-1785), http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/people_sackville.html
