SELWYN, William (1732-1817), of Boxley, Kent

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1754-1790, ed. L. Namier, J. Brooke., 1964
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

17 Mar. 1783 - 1790

Family and Education

b. 14 June 1732, 2nd s. of Henry Selwyn of Westminster by Ruth, da. of Anthony Compton of Gainslow, nr. Berwick-upon-Tweed; 1st cos. of George Augustus Selwyn.  educ. Westminster 1740; Trinity, Camb. 1749; L. Inn 1749, called 1754.  m. 15 Sept. 1763, Frances Elizabeth, da. of John Dodd of Woodford, Essex, 3s. 3da.

Offices Held

K.C. 1780; bencher, L. Inn 1780, treasurer 1793.

Biography

In 1783 Selwyn was returned for Whitchurch by his cousin Thomas Townshend when he became Lord Sydney. Following Sydney’s political line, he voted against the Fox-North Coalition, and supported Pitt’s Administration. His only reported speech was on 30 Apr. 1783 when during a debate on a bill for the arrest of persons found during the night with housebreaking tools, he said that his experience at the bar showed him the necessity for such a bill.1 In 1790 Sydney returned his son for Whitchurch, and Selwyn did not stand again.

He died 21 Aug. 1817.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: Mary M. Drummond

Notes

  • 1. Debrett, ix. 677.