Randolph was born in 1849 in Blenheim Palace. He was the grandson of the then Duke of Marlborough and the third son of the future duke. He was brought up in the palace, and in 1862 he went to Eton College. Randolph remained there until 1867 when he attended New College, Oxford. He studied law and passed out in 1870. Randolph became prime minister and brought in, as promised in his manifesto a new reform bill that created 20 more seats in parliament and reorganised boroughs.