ANSON, Thomas (?1695-1773), of Shugborough Hall, Staffs.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1715-1754, ed. R. Sedgwick, 1970
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

1747 - Jan. 1770

Family and Education

b. ?1695, 1st s. of William Anson of Shugborough and e. bro. of George, 1st Baron Anson. educ. St. John’s, Oxf. 2 June 1711, aged 15; I. Temple, called 1719. unm. suc. fa. 1720.

Offices Held

Biography

After spending many years abroad1 Thomas Anson, a practising lawyer, was brought into Parliament as a Whig on the interest of his younger brother, Lord Anson, but took little interest in what he called the ‘cabal, intrigue, and ... huddle of politics’.2 In June 1748 he was sent to Paris by Lord Sandwich with a message to the French foreign minister relating to the peace negotiations.3 After his return to England, he was reminded of his parliamentary duties by his sister-in-law, Lady Anson, who wrote, 28 Mar. 1749,

I am commissioned by my Lord to desire Mr. Anson will be so good as not to forget how material his presence must be to the poor navy bill, for want of which, like an exposed foundling, it was very near being thrown out of the House the day of the adjournment.4

Under George III he adhered to Newcastle and Rockingham.

He died 30 Mar. 1773.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Eveline Cruickshanks

Notes

  • 1. J. Wilmot, Life of Sir J. E. Wilmot, 199.
  • 2. 8 Feb. 1748, Add. 15955, f. 72.
  • 3. Ibid. f. 106.
  • 4. Staffs. Parl. Hist. (Wm. Salt Arch. Soc.), ii. 262.