Family and Education

b. 29 Sept. 1692, 1st s. of Thomas Willoughby, M.P. 1st Baron Middleton, by Elizabeth, da. and coh. of Sir Richard Rothwell, 1st Bt., M.P.; bro. of Hon. Thomas Willoughby. educ. Eton 1706-7; Jesus, Camb. 1709-12. m. 25 July 1723, Mary, da. and coh. of Thomas Edwards of Filkins, Oxon., 2s. 1da. suc. fa. as 2nd Baron 2 Apr. 1729.

Offices Held

Biography

Francis Willoughby came of a wealthy Tory family, with estates in Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire, carrying interests at Newark and Tamworth. A few weeks before coming of age he was returned on the Tory interest for Nottinghamshire, which his father had represented 1698-1702 and 1705-10. Re-elected unopposed in 1715, he was defeated after a close contest in 1722 but returned on his family’s interest for Tamworth. He did not stand in 1727, two years later succeeding to the peerage. He continued for the rest of his life to play a leading part in Nottinghamshire politics as the head of the Tory interest in the county.1

He died 31 July 1758.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Romney R. Sedgwick

Notes

• 1. See NOTTINGHAMSHIRE and NEWARK.