John Manners, 3rd Duke of Rutland (October 21,1696 - May 29,1779) succeeded to the title in 1721, cutting short a brief career in the House of Commons, where he had represented Rutland as a Whig.

He held a variety of government and court positions including Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire 1721-1729, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 1727-1736, Lord Steward of the Household 1755-1761, and Master of the Horse 1761-1766.

In 1717 he married Bridget Sutton,a 17-year-old heiress,and the eldest of their sons was John Manners, Marquess of Granby. In 1722 he became a Knight of the Order of the Garter and in 1727 was sworn of the Privy Council.