Godolphin, Sidney, 1st Earl of 1645-1712
English statesman

Born in Helston, Cornwall, he became a royal page in 1662, entered parliament in 1668, and in 1684 was made head of the Treasury and Baron Godolphin. On William III's landing in 1688 Godolphin remained loyal to James VII and II, and started negotiations with William on his behalf. When James fled, he voted for a regency. However in 1689 William reinstated him as first commissioner of the Treasury where he remained until 1696, when he was replaced by a Whig. Queen Anne on her accession made him her sole Lord High Treasurer (1702) and in 1706 he was created earl. In 1698 he married Henrietta, daughter of the Duke of Marlborough. His able management of the Treasury financed Marlborough's campaigns without increasing the public debt by more than one million annually. To prevent his own overthrow, he forced Anne to dismiss Robert Harley (1708). However, the influence of Harley's friend and relative, Abigail Masham, helped Harley to power, and in 1710 Godolphin was himself dismissed.

Bibliography: Sir Tresham Lever, Godolphin, His Life and Times (1952)