Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Manners, Charles Cecil John
MANNERS, CHARLES CECIL JOHN, sixth Duke of Rutland (1815–1888), born 16 May 1815, was eldest surviving son of John Henry, fifth duke of Rutland, by Lady Elizabeth Howard, daughter of the fifth earl of Carlisle. He was educated at Eton and at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was created M.A. in 1835. He was elected M.P. for Stamford in 1837, and sat for that borough till 1852, when he was returned for North Leicestershire. From 1843 to 1846 he was lord of the bedchamber to the prince consort. He was a strong conservative and protectionist, opposed Lord John Russell on the sugar duties, and generally supported Lord George Bentinck during his leadership of the protectionist party in the House of Commons (1846-7). He was never a powerful speaker, though he spoke very often. After 1852 he grew out of sympathy with the conservative policy; and the lord-lieutenancy of Lincolnshire was, according to Greville, given to him in that year 'to stop his mouth,' He became lord-lieutenant of Leicestershire, 20 March 1857, and in the same year succeeded his father as Duke of Rutland. He was made K.G. in 1867, and died unmarried at Belvoir, 4 March 1888. He was succeeded by his brother, Lord John James Robert Manners, seventh and present duke of Rutland. Rutland's political views were formed in the days preceding the repeal of the corn laws, and were never afterwards modified. Personally he was popular, and a splendid rider to hounds, though in later years he was disabled by gout.
[Times, 5 March 1888; Illustrated London News, 10 March 1888; Field, 10 March 1888; Greville's Journal of the Reign of Queen Victoria, iii. 123, 471, 472; Hansard's Part Debates, especially 1842-57; Eller's Hist. of Belvoir Castle; Disraeli's Life of Lord George Bentinck.]