DOD'INGTON, GEoRGE Bum, Baron \lel combe (1691-1762). An English politician. He was the son of Jeremiah Bubb. but took the name of Dodington in 1720. on inheriting a large estate from an uncle of that name. Ile was educated, it is said, at Oxford, was elected member of Par liament for Winchelsert in 1715, and in the same year was appointed envoy extraordinary to Spain, remaining at Sladrid until 1717. He became very wealthy. and controlled five or six votes in Parliament, which made his friendship much sought after by the politicians of the day. Dodington had an inordinate desire to become himself a power in polities and to be elevated to the peerage, and bartered away his votes first to one party and then to another, according to the size of the promises made him, and the pos sibility of their being fulfilled. lb entered poli ties as a follower of Walpole, deserted to the Prince of Wales, and was later allied in turn to Argyll. Henry Pelham. Newcastle. and little. His
variability in politics and the venality of his half-dozen votes made him the frequent butt of political satire and earieature. lie was a Lord of the Treasury from 1721 to 1740, became Treasurer of the Navy under henry Pelham in 1744, and in 1755 held the same position under the Newcastle-Fox coalition. For his support of Lord lithe in 1761. he was rewarded by being created Baron llelcombe of 1Zegis. Dor sctshire. Dodington was one of the last of the 'patrons; and gathered about him some of the best-known literary men of the time. including Young, Thompson. and Fielding. Ifis Diary, published in give- an interesting picture of the politt.zil and soetal life of the times.