George Bubb-Dodington

George Bubb-Dodington
Biographical information
Full name	George Bubb-Dodington
Born	1691
Died	July 28, 1762
Title(s)	Baron Melcombe
Physical information
Gender	Male
Family members
Extended Family	George Dodington (uncle)
Book appearances
Lord John and the Hellfire Club
Lord John and the Hellfire Club

George Bubb-Dodington, Baron Melcombe of Melcombe-Regis (original name (until 1717) George Bubb) was an English politician, a career office seeker who was the subject of a satirical engraving by William Hogarth, "Chairing the Members" (1758), and kept a diary (published 1784) that remains one of the best sources on British politics of his time.

Personal History

Until he was raised to the peerage (1761), he represented one of the House of Commons constituencies controlled by his family and selected members for two or three others. After serving capably as envoy extraordinary to Spain (1715–17), he held a succession of government sinecures. In 1744 he was appointed treasurer of the navy, but he wavered in his support of George II, periodically opting instead to back the Prince of Wales. His political philosophy was summarized in his couplet: "Strive thy little bark to steer / With the tide, but near the shore." His most creditable action was a speech (Feb. 22, 1757) against the impending execution of Admiral John Byng on a questionable charge of neglect of duty in battle. He died without legitimate issue, and his peerage became extinct.

Lord John Series

"Lord John and the Hellfire Club"

Bubb-Dodington invites Lord John Grey to Medmenham Abbey for a meeting of Sir Francis Dashwood's Hellfire Club. Grey is wary, given that Robert Gerald had been given the same invitation and subsequently murdered in a public street.

Name

• George is from the Greek name Γεωργιος (Georgios) which was derived from the Greek word γεωργος (georgos) meaning "farmer, earthworker", itself derived from the elements γη (ge) "earth" and εργον (ergon) "work".
• Bubb is from an Old English personal name, Bubba, a variant of German Bub a nickname meaning "boy", Middle High German buobe (originally a nursery word). The word was also used to denote a menial servant, and took on a derogatory meaning.
• Dodington is derived from a geographical locality. 'of Doddington,' parishes in Cambridgeshire, Kent, Lincolnshire, Northumberland, and Northamptonshire; also a township in Cheshire.