George Digby, 2nd Earl of Bristol

art work detail

van Dyck, Sir Anthony

George Digby, 2nd Earl of Bristol

year

c. 1638

George Digby, 2nd Earl of Bristol

George Digby (1612-77) married Anne Russell, daughter of the Earl of Bedford, in 1632. He was elected MP for Dorset in 1640 and created Baron Digby in 1641. An ardent Royalist during the Civil War he fled to France and served in the French army. He was appointed secretary of state by Charles II in 1657, but converted to Catholicism and lost favour. He was also a poet and playwright. This portrait is datable to c.1638-9.