The amiable Charles was generally well-liked, and he was a loyal husband and loving father. He made sure to write to his wife frequently while on military campaigns and always sent his love to their children. He had no concept of economy, and was a heavy spender. He was so notoriously incompetent with money that when he suddenly died in 1758, acquaintances wryly remarked that he died before he could spend his heir's inheritance on the estate. Death In October 1758, Charles was on a campaign in Germany when he caught dysentery that was sweeping the camp. His sudden death shocked his family, friends, and England. However, an autopsy revealed he would have died not long after, as his lungs were ravaged by the consumption that had killed his mother and sister. Surprisingly, Charles did not spread consumption to his children. Titles 22 November 1706 – 15 September 1729: The Honourable Charles Spencer 15 September 1729 – 24 October 1733: The Right Honourable The Earl of Sunderland 24 October 1733 – 20 October 1758: His Grace The Duke of Marlborough Ancestry References External Sources |- |- 1706 births 1758 deaths 1st The Royal Dragoons officers British Army generals British Life Guards officers Coldstream Guards officers Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough 103 Knights of the Garter Lord-Lieutenants of Buckinghamshire Lord-Lieutenants of Oxfordshire Lords Privy Seal Members of the Privy Council of Great Britain Fellows of the Royal Society Cricket patrons Freemasons of the Premier Grand Lodge of England 18th-century philanthropists