Family and Education

b. c.1685, 1st s. of Richard Lumley, 1st Earl of Scarbrough, by Frances, da. and h. of Sir Henry Jones of Aston, Oxf.; bro. of Hon. Richard Lumley*.  educ. Eton 1698; King’s, Camb. 1703. unm.  Styled Visct. Lumley 1690–d.

Offices Held

Capt. 1 Drag. Gds. 1708–d.

Biography

Lumley’s father, a distinguished soldier, had signed the invitation to William of Orange in 1688 and was afterwards one of the leaders of the Whigs in the North. The family also owned significant estates in Sussex, and in 1708, although he did not stand in the general election of that year, Lumley successfully contested at a by-election for Arundel. Remarkably small in stature, even being described as a ‘pigmy’ by one contemporary, ‘little Lord Lumley’ followed his father’s politics, but was generally inactive in Parliament. In his first session he seconded a motion on 25 Jan. 1709 for an address asking the Queen to consider remarrying. In the next session, early in 1710, he voted for the impeachment of Dr Sacheverell. Lumley was evidently anxious to obtain promotion in the army, as on 20 Apr. 1710 Lord Godolphin (Sidney†) wrote to Marlborough: ‘I have had a letter from my Lord Lumley to write to you that he might have my Lord Mordaunt’s regiment. When I have told it you, I have no more to say. The little man is at this time sick of the smallpox.’ He in fact died v.p. a few days later, on 24 Apr., and was buried at St. Martin-in-the-Fields. On hearing of his death, Pope wrote:

I am told my Lord Lumley and Mr Lytton are gone before me; and though I may now without vanity esteem myself the least thing like a man in England, yet I cannot but be sorry two heroes of such a make should die inglorious in their beds.1

Ref Volumes: 1690-1715

Author: Paula Watson

Notes

• 1. D. G. W. Elwes, Castles, Mansions and manors of W. Suss. 224-5; Wentworth Pprs. 75; DZA, Bonet despatch 25 Jan./5 Feb. 1709; Marlborough–Godolphin Corresp. 1468; Pope, Works ed. Elwin and Courthorpe, vi. 96.