Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Howard, Henry Charles
HOWARD, HENRY CHARLES, thirteenth Duke of Norfolk (1791–1856), only son of Bernard Edward, twelfth duke [q. v.], by his wife Elizabeth Bellasyse, third daughter of Henry, the second and last earl of Fauconberg, was born on 12 Aug. 1791 in George Street, Hanover Square. Three years after his birth his parents were divorced, in May 1794, by act of parliament, his mother then marrying Richard, second earl of Lucan. On 27 Dec. 1814 he married Lady Charlotte Leveson-Gower, the eldest daughter of George Granville, first duke of Sutherland, K.G. His father having succeeded to the title and estates of the dukedom of Norfolk on the death, on 16 Dec. 1815, of his cousin Charles, the eleventh duke, he, as heir, became known as the Earl of Arundel and Surrey. The Act of Catholic Emancipation having been passed in April 1829, the earl was the first Roman catholic since the Reformation to take the oaths and his seat in the House of Commons. He sat as M.P. for Horsham from 1829 to 1832, Hurst, the sitting member, having resigned in 1829 to afford him the opportunity. He was elected in 1832, in 1835, and in 1837 as member for the western division of Sussex. In politics he was a staunch whig. From July 1837 to June 1841 he was treasurer of the queen's household in Lord Melbourne's ministry, being admitted to the privy council on his appointment; and from July to September 1841 was captain of the yeomen of the guard, resigning that office with Lord Melbourne's ministry. In August 1841 he was summoned to the House of Peers as Baron Maltravers. Upon his father's death, on 16 March 1842, he succeeded to the dukedom, and was master of the horse from July 1846 until February 1852, during the administration of Lord John Russell. On 4 May 1848 he was created a knight of the Garter; and, under the Earl of Aberdeen's ministry, was lord steward of the household (4 Jan. 1853 to 10 Jan. 1854). He supported Lord John Russell's Ecclesiastical Titles Bill, and was little more than a catholic in name, but when on his deathbed was reconciled to the Roman catholic religion. He died at Arundel Castle on 18 Feb. 1856, and was buried in the family vault in the parish church on 26 Feb. Canon Tierney attended him on his deathbed. The duke was at one time president of the Royal Botanic Society. Sir George Hayter painted his portrait.
Norfolk had three sons, Henry Granville Fitzalan Howard [q. v.], his heir and successor, Edward George Fitzalan Howard [q. v.], afterwards Baron Howard of Glossop, and Lord Bernard Thomas Howard, born 30 Dec. 1825, who died during his travels in the East at Cairo 21 Dec. 1846; and two daughters, Lady Mary Charlotte, married in 1849 to Thomas Henry, fourth lord Foley, and Lady Adeliza Matilda, married in October 1855 to Lord George John Manners, third son of the fifth Duke of Rutland.
[Doyle's Official Baronage, ii. 603; Times, 19 Feb. 1856; Gent. Mag. April 1856, p.419; Annual Register for 1856, p. 242.]