Anne Poulett
Encyclopedia
The Honourable Anne Poulett (11 July 1711 – 5 July 1785), fourth son of John Poulett, 1st Earl Poulett
, was a British Member of Parliament
who represented the borough
of Bridgwater
in the House of Commons
for sixteen years until his death in 1785. He received his unusual first name in honour of Queen Anne
, who was his sponsor at his baptism.
He initially stood for election at Bridgwater in 1768, and although he was initially declared defeated the result was reversed on petition the following year. He was returned unopposed in 1774 and headed the poll when there were once more contested elections in 1780 and 1784. Throughout his career he was generally a supporter of Lord North
, though occasionally voting against him.
In 1780 he presented to St Mary's Church in Bridgwater
a magnificent 17th century painting of The Descent from the Cross, apparently captured when a Spanish warship was taken a prize. The artist is unknown, although it has been controversially attributed to Murillo
. The picture is now used as the altarpiece of the church.
John Poulett, 1st Earl Poulett
John Poulett, 1st Earl Poulett KG was the son of John Poulett, 3rd Baron Poulett and his wife Susan Herbert, daughter of Philip Herbert, 5th Earl of Pembroke....
, was a British Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
who represented the borough
Parliamentary borough
Parliamentary boroughs are a type of administrative division, usually covering urban areas, that are entitled to representation in a Parliament...
of Bridgwater
Bridgwater (UK Parliament constituency)
Bridgwater was a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, until 2010 when it was replaced by the Bridgwater and West Somerset constituency...
in the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
for sixteen years until his death in 1785. He received his unusual first name in honour of Queen Anne
Anne of Great Britain
Anne ascended the thrones of England, Scotland and Ireland on 8 March 1702. On 1 May 1707, under the Act of Union, two of her realms, England and Scotland, were united as a single sovereign state, the Kingdom of Great Britain.Anne's Catholic father, James II and VII, was deposed during the...
, who was his sponsor at his baptism.
He initially stood for election at Bridgwater in 1768, and although he was initially declared defeated the result was reversed on petition the following year. He was returned unopposed in 1774 and headed the poll when there were once more contested elections in 1780 and 1784. Throughout his career he was generally a supporter of Lord North
Frederick North, Lord North
Frederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford, KG, PC , more often known by his courtesy title, Lord North, which he used from 1752 until 1790, was Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1770 to 1782. He led Great Britain through most of the American War of Independence...
, though occasionally voting against him.
In 1780 he presented to St Mary's Church in Bridgwater
Bridgwater
Bridgwater is a market town and civil parish in Somerset, England. It is the administrative centre of the Sedgemoor district, and a major industrial centre. Bridgwater is located on the major communication routes through South West England...
a magnificent 17th century painting of The Descent from the Cross, apparently captured when a Spanish warship was taken a prize. The artist is unknown, although it has been controversially attributed to Murillo
Bartolomé Estéban Murillo
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo was a Spanish Baroque painter. Although he is best known for his religious works, Murillo also produced a considerable number of paintings of contemporary women and children...
. The picture is now used as the altarpiece of the church.