John Temple (diplomat)
Encyclopedia
John Temple sometimes known as (but not universally acknowledged to be) Sir John Temple, 8th Baronet, was the first British consul-general to the United States.
He was born in Boston
. His father, Robert Temple, was a captain in the English army, and his mother was Mehibatel Nelson of Boston. In 1762 he was appointed lieutenant governor of the Province of New Hampshire
and surveyor general of customs. In 1767, he married Elizabeth Bowdoin, daughter of James Bowdoin
, who later became governor of Massachusetts
. Temple was politically aligned with the populist faction in Massachusetts politics, and strongly opposed to the domination of colonial rule by Thomas Hutchinson and the Oliver family. Temple may have played a role in the Hutchinson Letters Affair
of 1773 that inflamed political tensions in Massachusetts and led to the recall of Hutchinson, who was then governor of the province.
In 1785, he was appointed consul-general to the United States, and remained in this post in New York
until his death.
Following the death of Sir Richard Temple, 7th Baronet in 1786, John Temple claimed the Temple Baronetcy of Stowe
on the basis of a declaration by George Nugent-Temple-Grenville, 1st Marquess of Buckingham
, but his claim is disputed. It is not recognized, for instance, by Cracroft's Peerage, which considers the baronetcy to be dormant. However, his claim seems to have been generally recognized during his lifetime and his son's, for example by Burke's Peerage
.
His eldest son Grenville succeeded to his claim to the baronetcy.
He was born in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. His father, Robert Temple, was a captain in the English army, and his mother was Mehibatel Nelson of Boston. In 1762 he was appointed lieutenant governor of the Province of New Hampshire
Province of New Hampshire
The Province of New Hampshire is a name first given in 1629 to the territory between the Merrimack and Piscataqua rivers on the eastern coast of North America. It was formally organized as an English royal colony on October 7, 1691, during the period of English colonization...
and surveyor general of customs. In 1767, he married Elizabeth Bowdoin, daughter of James Bowdoin
James Bowdoin
James Bowdoin II was an American political and intellectual leader from Boston, Massachusetts during the American Revolution. He served in both branches of the Massachusetts General Court in the colonial era and was president of the state's constitutional convention...
, who later became governor of Massachusetts
Governor of Massachusetts
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the executive magistrate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States. The current governor is Democrat Deval Patrick.-Constitutional role:...
. Temple was politically aligned with the populist faction in Massachusetts politics, and strongly opposed to the domination of colonial rule by Thomas Hutchinson and the Oliver family. Temple may have played a role in the Hutchinson Letters Affair
Hutchinson Letters Affair
The Hutchinson Letters Affair was an incident that increased tensions between the American colonies and the British government prior to the American Revolution...
of 1773 that inflamed political tensions in Massachusetts and led to the recall of Hutchinson, who was then governor of the province.
In 1785, he was appointed consul-general to the United States, and remained in this post in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
until his death.
Following the death of Sir Richard Temple, 7th Baronet in 1786, John Temple claimed the Temple Baronetcy of Stowe
Temple Baronets
There have been four Baronetcies created for persons with the surname Temple, two in the Baronetage of England, one in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia and one in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom....
on the basis of a declaration by George Nugent-Temple-Grenville, 1st Marquess of Buckingham
George Nugent-Temple-Grenville, 1st Marquess of Buckingham
George Nugent-Temple-Grenville, 1st Marquess of Buckingham, KG, PC was a British statesman. He was the second son of George Grenville and a brother of the 1st Baron Grenville.-Career:...
, but his claim is disputed. It is not recognized, for instance, by Cracroft's Peerage, which considers the baronetcy to be dormant. However, his claim seems to have been generally recognized during his lifetime and his son's, for example by Burke's Peerage
Burke's Peerage
Burke's Peerage publishes authoritative, in-depth historical guides to the royal and titled families of the United Kingdom, such as Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, and of many other countries. Founded in 1826 by British genealogist John Burke Esq., and continued by his son, Sir John...
.
His eldest son Grenville succeeded to his claim to the baronetcy.