William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire, (14 December 1748 – 29 July 1811), was a British aristocrat and politician. He was the eldest son of
William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire by his wife the heiress
Lady Charlotte Boyle,
suo jure Baroness Clifford, who brought in considerable money and estates to the Cavendish family. He was invited to join the Cabinet on three occasions, but declined each offer. He was
Lord High Treasurer of Ireland and Governor of Cork, and Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire. The 5th Duke is best known for his first wife
Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. At the age of about twenty, Devonshire toured Italy with
William Fitzherbert which is where they commissioned the pair of portraits by
Pompeo Batoni.