ST. JOHN, Hon. Henry (1738-1818), of Rockley, Wilts.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1790-1820, ed. R. Thorne, 1986
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

1761 - 1784
1802 - Dec. 1802

Family and Education

b. 1738, 2nd s. of John St. John, 2nd Visct. St. John, by 1st w. Anne, da. and h. of Sir Robert Furnese, 2nd Bt., of Waldershare, Kent. educ. Eton 1747-53 m. 31 Aug. 1771, Barbara, da. of Thomas Bladen of Glastonbury, Som., s.p.

Offices Held

Ensign, 2 Ft. Gds. 1754; capt. 18 Ft. 1758; maj. 91 Ft. 1760, brevet lt.-col. 1762; half-pay 1763; lt.-col. 67 Ft. 1767, brevet col. 1776; col. 36 Ft. 1778-d.; maj-gen. 1779, lt.-gen. 1787, gen. 1797.

Groom of bedchamber to Duke of York 1737-7, to the King 1771-84.

Biography

St. John was returned for Wootton Bassett on his nephew the 3rd Viscount Bolingbroke’s interest in 1802, 18 years after retiring from the family representation there. He had been his nephew’s agent for the borough during his absence abroad and was merely acting as a stopgap. He vacated soon after Parliament met. Neither in the House nor in the army had he distinguished himself. In 1797 the King was informed that he was not fit for a military government, which was his ambition. Lord Glenbervie described him as ‘General Henry St. John of stupid memory and repute’. He died 4 Apr. 1818.

Geo. III Corresp. ii. 1657; Glenbervie Diaries, i. 217.

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Author: R. G. Thorne

Notes