Family and Education

bap. 19 Oct. 1725, 2nd s. of Sir Thomas Saunders Sebright, M.P., 4th Bt., by Henrietta, da. of Sir Samuel Dashwood.  educ. Westminster 1735-41.  m. 15 May 1766, Sarah, da. of Edward Knight of Wolverley, Worcs., 2s. 2da.  suc. bro. as 6th Bt. 30 Oct. 1761.

Offices Held

Ensign 1 Ft. Gds 1741, lt. and capt. 1744, capt. and lt.-col. 1749; col. army 1758; col. 83 Ft. 1758-60, 52 Ft. 1760-2; maj.-gen. 1761; col. 18 Ft. 1762- d.; lt.-gen. 1770; gen. 1782.

Biography

Sebright’s connexion with Bath seems to have begun through Lord Ligonier, M.P. for Bath 1748-1763. At the general election of 1761 Sebright deputised for Pitt, who was unable to be present; and stood with Pitt’s approbation at the by-election of 1763 caused by Ligonier’s being created a British peer. He was returned after a contest with a local man.

Sebright supported the Grenville Administration. On the division on general warrants of 18 Feb. 1764 he was classed by Jenkinson as an absent friend. He voted against the repeal of the Stamp Act, 22 Feb. 1766; and against the Chatham Administration on the land tax, 27 Feb. 1767, but with them on the nullum tempus bill, 17 Feb. 1768. For the remainder of his time in Parliament he supported Administration. He was defeated at Bath at the general election of 1774, but returned without opposition at a by-election a few months later. He did not stand in 1780. He is not known to have spoken in the House.

Sebright died 23 Feb. 1794.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: John Brooke

Notes