Plymouth (UK Parliament constituency)
Encyclopedia
Plymouth was a parliamentary borough
in Devon
, which elected two Members of Parliament
(MPs) to the House of Commons
in 1298 and again from 1442 until 1918, when the borough was merged with the neighbouring Devonport and the combined area divided into three single-member constituencies.
in Devon
; in 1641, the parish was divided into two, St Charles and St Andrew, and both remained in the borough. (This included most of the town as it existed in mediaeval and early modern times, but only a fraction of the city as it exists today). Plymouth was a major port, both naval and commercial, and unlike many of the boroughs of the unreformed parliament fully merited its status both for its importance and its population. (It was one of the few boroughs that retained both its members in the short-lived reform of the electoral system during the Commonwealth.) By the time of the Great Reform Act of 1832, the population of the borough was a little over 31,000, but the whole conurbation including the two nearby towns of Devonport
and Stonehouse
, had about 75,000 inhabitants.
Until 1660, the right to vote in Plymouth was restricted to the corporation. In that year, the House of Commons determined that the right was vested in the "Mayor and Commonalty", but the term "commonalty" was ambiguous and in 1740 it was held to mean only the freemen
of the town rather than all the freeholders, a much more restrictive franchise. This amounted to only about 200 voters in the 18th and early 19th century, and the highest number actually recorded as voting was 177. Since the corporation was responsible for electing its own successors and also controlled the admission of freemen, it was easy for any interest having once gained control of the borough to retain it. Because of the importance of the naval dockyard to the town's prosperity, Plymouth fell under the influence of the government very early, and from at least the late 17th century was regarded as a safe constituency where ministers could nominate both members with little likelihood of serious opposition.
The members so nominated almost invariably included a distinguished naval officer, or instead on occasions a high official of the Admiralty
(who, of course, could bring valuable patronage to Plymouth). When the Admiralty nominated only one member, the other was often the choice of the governor of the garrison, though at the turn of the 19th century the Prince Regent (who was recorder
of the borough) was generally allowed to pick both members.
Nevertheless, government control of the borough did not entirely preclude an influential role for local aristocratic or landed families, not least because somebody had to manage the government's patronage and decide how it should be exercised. Around 1700, the Trelawny family considered themselves "patrons" of Plymouth (which, together with their pocket boroughs of East Looe
and West Looe
in Cornwall
, gave them control of six seats in Parliament). Charles Trelawny
, who was Governor of Plymouth from 1696 to 1712, had power of nomination to both seats throughout this period, sitting himself as MP and choosing his brother for the other seat on one occasion.
Many of Plymouth's MPs, naval or otherwise, justified the borough's confidence in them by bringing patronage to the town. Namier and Brooke quote a letter from the First Lord of the Admiralty, Lord Sandwich
, to the Plymouth MP Viscount Barrington, rebuking him for the extent of the continual requests he was making on their behalf; but many of these requests, it is clear, were nevertheless being met.
before the Reform Act, since 40 shilling freeholders could vote for the county even if their property was within the borough boundaries.)
The second change was the creation of a new borough for the neighbouring town of Devonport, which included both Devonport
and Stonehouse
. These two towns, though outside the boundaries of Plymouth borough, had been influential on its politics, but now had two MPs of their own. As a result, the naval influence on Plymouth was somewhat reduced after 1832, though the importance of the dockyards to the economic interests of the constituency remained. In 1901, 7.9% of Plymouth's population were in defence-related occupations and a further 1.6% in boat or ship manufacture; but in Devonport the figures were 29.9% and 1.6% respectively.
Once governments could no longer easily abuse their powers of patronage to secure their seats in such constituencies, the naval connection could be a hindrance rather than a help: Sir Edward Clarke
, Conservative
MP for Plymouth in the latter years of the 19th century, had considerable difficulty securing re-election in 1892 because of local criticism of the Conservative government's Admiralty policy on payment for shipwrights. Nevertheless, the naval aspect was probably normally helpful to the Conservative vote at this period: by the early 20th century, Plymouth was one of England's most densely-populated cities, and also had a high non-conformist population, which would normally have suggested a safe Liberal
seat, but in fact the two parties polled fairly equally and Conservatives were elected more often than not.
of Plymouth for local government purposes, and under the parliamentary boundary changes which came into effect at the general election of 1918 both two-member boroughs were abolished and the area of the county borough divided into single-member constituencies. The city's population was now adjudged to entitle it only to three MPs in place of the four it had had previously, and the new constituencies were called Plymouth, Devonport, Plymouth, Drake
and Plymouth, Sutton. Of these, the Devonport division was very similar to the old Devonport borough, while the former Plymouth borough was split between the Drake and Sutton divisions.
Parliamentary borough
Parliamentary boroughs are a type of administrative division, usually covering urban areas, that are entitled to representation in a Parliament...
in Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, which elected two Members 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,...
(MPs) to 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...
in 1298 and again from 1442 until 1918, when the borough was merged with the neighbouring Devonport and the combined area divided into three single-member constituencies.
In the Unreformed Parliament (to 1832)
Plymouth first sent MPs to the Parliament of 1298, but after that the right lapsed until being restored in 1442, after which it returned two members to each parliament. The borough originally consisted of the parish of PlymouthPlymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
in Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
; in 1641, the parish was divided into two, St Charles and St Andrew, and both remained in the borough. (This included most of the town as it existed in mediaeval and early modern times, but only a fraction of the city as it exists today). Plymouth was a major port, both naval and commercial, and unlike many of the boroughs of the unreformed parliament fully merited its status both for its importance and its population. (It was one of the few boroughs that retained both its members in the short-lived reform of the electoral system during the Commonwealth.) By the time of the Great Reform Act of 1832, the population of the borough was a little over 31,000, but the whole conurbation including the two nearby towns of Devonport
Devonport, Devon
Devonport, formerly named Plymouth Dock or just Dock, is a district of Plymouth in the English county of Devon, although it was, at one time, the more important settlement. It became a county borough in 1889...
and Stonehouse
Stonehouse, Plymouth
East Stonehouse is one of three towns that were amalgamated into modern-day Plymouth. West Stonehouse was a village that is within the current Mount Edgcumbe Country Park in Cornwall...
, had about 75,000 inhabitants.
Until 1660, the right to vote in Plymouth was restricted to the corporation. In that year, the House of Commons determined that the right was vested in the "Mayor and Commonalty", but the term "commonalty" was ambiguous and in 1740 it was held to mean only the freemen
Freedom of the City
Freedom of the City is an honour bestowed by some municipalities in Australia, Canada, Ireland, France, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, Gibraltar and Rhodesia to esteemed members of its community and to organisations to be honoured, often for service to the community;...
of the town rather than all the freeholders, a much more restrictive franchise. This amounted to only about 200 voters in the 18th and early 19th century, and the highest number actually recorded as voting was 177. Since the corporation was responsible for electing its own successors and also controlled the admission of freemen, it was easy for any interest having once gained control of the borough to retain it. Because of the importance of the naval dockyard to the town's prosperity, Plymouth fell under the influence of the government very early, and from at least the late 17th century was regarded as a safe constituency where ministers could nominate both members with little likelihood of serious opposition.
The members so nominated almost invariably included a distinguished naval officer, or instead on occasions a high official of the Admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
(who, of course, could bring valuable patronage to Plymouth). When the Admiralty nominated only one member, the other was often the choice of the governor of the garrison, though at the turn of the 19th century the Prince Regent (who was recorder
Recorder (judge)
A Recorder is a judicial officer in England and Wales. It now refers to two quite different appointments. The ancient Recorderships of England and Wales now form part of a system of Honorary Recorderships which are filled by the most senior full-time circuit judges...
of the borough) was generally allowed to pick both members.
Nevertheless, government control of the borough did not entirely preclude an influential role for local aristocratic or landed families, not least because somebody had to manage the government's patronage and decide how it should be exercised. Around 1700, the Trelawny family considered themselves "patrons" of Plymouth (which, together with their pocket boroughs of East Looe
East Looe (UK Parliament constituency)
East Looe was a parliamentary borough represented in the House of Commons of England from 1571 to 1707, in the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1797 to 1800, and finally in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom from 1801 until its abolition in 1832. It elected two Members of Parliament ...
and West Looe
West Looe (UK Parliament constituency)
West Looe was a rotten borough represented in the House of Commons of England from 1535 to 1707, in the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1797 to 1800, and in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1832. It elected two Members of Parliament by the bloc vote system of election...
in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, gave them control of six seats in Parliament). Charles Trelawny
Charles Trelawny
Major-General Charles Trelawny was a British Army officer of Cornish descent, the fourth son of Sir Jonathan Trelawny, 2nd Baronet....
, who was Governor of Plymouth from 1696 to 1712, had power of nomination to both seats throughout this period, sitting himself as MP and choosing his brother for the other seat on one occasion.
Many of Plymouth's MPs, naval or otherwise, justified the borough's confidence in them by bringing patronage to the town. Namier and Brooke quote a letter from the First Lord of the Admiralty, Lord Sandwich
John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich
John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, PC, FRS was a British statesman who succeeded his grandfather, Edward Montagu, 3rd Earl of Sandwich, as the Earl of Sandwich in 1729, at the age of ten...
, to the Plymouth MP Viscount Barrington, rebuking him for the extent of the continual requests he was making on their behalf; but many of these requests, it is clear, were nevertheless being met.
After the Reform Act (1832-1918)
The Great Reform Act left the borough of Plymouth unaltered, but its nature was affected radically. One change was the franchise reform, giving more than 1,400 of the inhabitants the vote. (Many of these, however, would have been able to vote for the county constituency of DevonDevon (UK Parliament constituency)
Devon was a parliamentary constituency covering the county of Devon in England. It was represented by two Knights of the Shire, in the House of Commons of England until 1707, then of the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800 and finally the House of Commons of the United Kingdom from...
before the Reform Act, since 40 shilling freeholders could vote for the county even if their property was within the borough boundaries.)
The second change was the creation of a new borough for the neighbouring town of Devonport, which included both Devonport
Devonport, Devon
Devonport, formerly named Plymouth Dock or just Dock, is a district of Plymouth in the English county of Devon, although it was, at one time, the more important settlement. It became a county borough in 1889...
and Stonehouse
Stonehouse, Plymouth
East Stonehouse is one of three towns that were amalgamated into modern-day Plymouth. West Stonehouse was a village that is within the current Mount Edgcumbe Country Park in Cornwall...
. These two towns, though outside the boundaries of Plymouth borough, had been influential on its politics, but now had two MPs of their own. As a result, the naval influence on Plymouth was somewhat reduced after 1832, though the importance of the dockyards to the economic interests of the constituency remained. In 1901, 7.9% of Plymouth's population were in defence-related occupations and a further 1.6% in boat or ship manufacture; but in Devonport the figures were 29.9% and 1.6% respectively.
Once governments could no longer easily abuse their powers of patronage to secure their seats in such constituencies, the naval connection could be a hindrance rather than a help: Sir Edward Clarke
Edward George Clarke
Sir Edward George Clarke QC QC was a British barrister and politician, considered one of the leading advocates of the late Victorian era and serving as Solicitor-General in the Conservative government of 1886–1892...
, Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
MP for Plymouth in the latter years of the 19th century, had considerable difficulty securing re-election in 1892 because of local criticism of the Conservative government's Admiralty policy on payment for shipwrights. Nevertheless, the naval aspect was probably normally helpful to the Conservative vote at this period: by the early 20th century, Plymouth was one of England's most densely-populated cities, and also had a high non-conformist population, which would normally have suggested a safe Liberal
Liberal Party (UK)
The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day...
seat, but in fact the two parties polled fairly equally and Conservatives were elected more often than not.
Abolition
In 1914, the areas covered by the separate Plymouth and Devonport constituencies had been combined into a single county boroughCounty borough
County borough is a term introduced in 1889 in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland , to refer to a borough or a city independent of county council control. They were abolished by the Local Government Act 1972 in England and Wales, but continue in use for lieutenancy and shrievalty in...
of Plymouth for local government purposes, and under the parliamentary boundary changes which came into effect at the general election of 1918 both two-member boroughs were abolished and the area of the county borough divided into single-member constituencies. The city's population was now adjudged to entitle it only to three MPs in place of the four it had had previously, and the new constituencies were called Plymouth, Devonport, Plymouth, Drake
Plymouth Drake (UK Parliament constituency)
Plymouth Drake was a borough constituency in the city of Plymouth, in Devon. It elected one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom by the first past the post system of election.-History:...
and Plymouth, Sutton. Of these, the Devonport division was very similar to the old Devonport borough, while the former Plymouth borough was split between the Drake and Sutton divisions.
MPs 1442–1640
| Parliament | First member | Second member |
|---|---|---|
| 1510 | Henry Strete | John Bryan |
| 1512 | Robert Bowring | ... Legh |
| 1515 | John Orenge | ? |
| 1523 | ? | |
| 1529 | Thomas Vowell | John Pollard |
| 1536 | John Pollard | ? |
| 1539 | James Horswell | William Hawkins |
| 1542 | George Ferrers | James Horswell |
| 1545 | Thomas Sternhold | George Ferrers |
| 1547 | John Prideaux | William Hawkins |
| 1553 (Mar) | George Ferrers | Roger Buttockshide |
| 1553 (Oct) | Roger Buttockshide | William Hawkins |
| 1554 (Apr) | John Malet | Richard Hooper |
| 1554 (Nov) | Sir Thomas Knyvet | Roger Buttockshide |
| 1555 | Thomas Carew Thomas Carew (MP for Saltash) Thomas Carew was an English lawyer and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1555 and 1565.Carew was the son of Sir Wymond Carew of East Anthony Cornwall. He matriculated from St John's College, Cambridge in Autumn 1548. He was admitted at the Inner Temple in November 1550.In 1555,... |
John Young |
| 1558 | Humphrey Specote | Nicholas Slanning |
| 1558/9 | Sir Arthur Champernown | Nicholas Slanning |
| 1562/3 | Henry Champernown | William Peryam |
| 1571 | Sir Humphrey Gilbert | John Hawkins |
| 1572 | John Hawkins | Edmund Tremayne |
| 1584 | Henry Bromley Henry Bromley (died 1615) Sir Henry Bromley was an English landowner and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1584 and 1604.... |
Christopher Harris |
| 1586 | Henry Bromley Henry Bromley (died 1615) Sir Henry Bromley was an English landowner and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1584 and 1604.... |
Hugh Vaughan Hugh Vaughan Hugh Vaughan was an English Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He was The Earl of Bedford's steward in the west of England, and entered parliament at a by-election for Bridport in 1581 as the Earl's nominee to replace his heir, Lord Russell, who had been summoned to sit in... |
| 1588 | Miles Sandys Miles Sandys Miles Sandys was an English courtier and Member of Parliament who sat in every Parliament from 1563 to 1597 yet never represented the same constituency twice. Sandys was the brother of the Archbishop of York, Edwin Sandys, and an influential crown official, working in the Court of Queen's Bench and... |
Reginald Nicholas |
| 1593 | Sir Francis Drake | Robert Bassett |
| 1597 | Warwick Hele Warwick Hele Sir Warwick Hele was an English landowner and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1597 and 1625.... |
William Stallenge |
| 1601 | William Stallenge | James Bagg |
| 1604-1611 | Sir Richard Hawkins Richard Hawkins thumb|250px|right|Sir Richard HawkinsAdmiral Sir Richard Hawkins was a 17th century English seaman, explorer and Elizabethan "Sea Dog", and was the son of Admiral Sir John Hawkins.... |
James Bagg |
| 1614 | William Strode William Strode (died 1637) Sir William Strode was an English landowner, military engineer and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1597 and 1626.... |
Thomas Sherville |
| 1621-1622 | John Granville John Granville John M. Granville was an American diplomat who worked in South Sudan. On January 1, 2008, he was assassinated in a shooting in Khartoum, Sudan at the age of 33.-Career:... |
Thomas Sherville |
| 1624 | John Granville John Granville John M. Granville was an American diplomat who worked in South Sudan. On January 1, 2008, he was assassinated in a shooting in Khartoum, Sudan at the age of 33.-Career:... |
Thomas Sherville |
| 1625 | John Granville John Granville John M. Granville was an American diplomat who worked in South Sudan. On January 1, 2008, he was assassinated in a shooting in Khartoum, Sudan at the age of 33.-Career:... |
Thomas Sherville |
| 1626 | John Granville John Granville John M. Granville was an American diplomat who worked in South Sudan. On January 1, 2008, he was assassinated in a shooting in Khartoum, Sudan at the age of 33.-Career:... |
Thomas Sherville |
| 1628-1629 | John Granville John Granville John M. Granville was an American diplomat who worked in South Sudan. On January 1, 2008, he was assassinated in a shooting in Khartoum, Sudan at the age of 33.-Career:... |
Thomas Sherville |
| 1629–1640 | No Parliaments summoned | |
MPs 1640–1918
| Year | First member | First party | Second member | Second party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 1640 Short Parliament The Short Parliament was a Parliament of England that sat from 13 April to 5 May 1640 during the reign of King Charles I of England, so called because it lasted only three weeks.... |
Robert Trelawney Robert Trelawney Robert Trelawney was an English merchant and colonist who settled lands in Maine USA and a politician who sat in the House of Commons of England from 1640 to 1642.... |
John Waddon John Waddon (Parliamentarian) John Waddon was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons of England from 1640 to 1648. He supported the Parliamentarian side in the English Civil War.... |
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| November 1640 Long Parliament The Long Parliament was made on 3 November 1640, following the Bishops' Wars. It received its name from the fact that through an Act of Parliament, it could only be dissolved with the agreement of the members, and those members did not agree to its dissolution until after the English Civil War and... |
Robert Trelawney Robert Trelawney Robert Trelawney was an English merchant and colonist who settled lands in Maine USA and a politician who sat in the House of Commons of England from 1640 to 1642.... |
Royalist | John Waddon John Waddon (Parliamentarian) John Waddon was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons of England from 1640 to 1648. He supported the Parliamentarian side in the English Civil War.... |
Parliamentarian | ||
| 1642 | Sir John Yonge Sir John Yonge, 1st Baronet Sir John Yonge, 1st Baronet was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1642 and 1660.Yonge was the son of Walter Yonge of Colyton and his wife Jane Peryan, daughter of Sir John Peryan... |
Parliamentarian | ||||
| December 1648 | Yonge and Waddon excluded in Pride's Purge Pride's Purge Pride’s Purge is an event in December 1648, during the Second English Civil War, when troops under the command of Colonel Thomas Pride forcibly removed from the Long Parliament all those who were not supporters of the Grandees in the New Model Army and the Independents... - both seats vacant |
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| 1653 | Plymouth was unrepresented in the Barebones Parliament Barebones Parliament Barebone's Parliament, also known as the Little Parliament, the Nominated Assembly and the Parliament of Saints, came into being on 4 July 1653, and was the last attempt of the English Commonwealth to find a stable political form before the installation of Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector... |
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| 1654 First Protectorate Parliament The First Protectorate Parliament was summoned by the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell under the terms of the Instrument of Government. It sat for one term from 3 September 1654 until 22 January 1655 with William Lenthall as the Speaker of the House.... |
Christopher Silly | William Yeo | ||||
| 1656 Second Protectorate Parliament The Second Protectorate Parliament in England sat for two sessions from 17 September 1656 until 4 February 1658, with Thomas Widdrington as the Speaker of the House of Commons... |
John Maynard John Maynard (MP) Sir John Maynard KS was an English lawyer and politician, prominent under the reigns of Charles I, the Commonwealth, Charles II, James II and William III.-Origins and education:... |
Timothy Alsop | ||||
| January 1659 Third Protectorate Parliament The Third Protectorate Parliament sat for one session, from 27 January 1659 until 22 April 1659, with Chaloner Chute and Thomas Bampfylde as the Speakers of the House of Commons... |
Christopher Silly | |||||
| May 1659 Rump Parliament The Rump Parliament is the name of the English Parliament after Colonel Pride purged the Long Parliament on 6 December 1648 of those members hostile to the Grandees' intention to try King Charles I for high treason.... |
Plymouth was not represented in the restored Rump Rump Parliament The Rump Parliament is the name of the English Parliament after Colonel Pride purged the Long Parliament on 6 December 1648 of those members hostile to the Grandees' intention to try King Charles I for high treason.... |
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| April 1660 | John Maynard John Maynard (MP) Sir John Maynard KS was an English lawyer and politician, prominent under the reigns of Charles I, the Commonwealth, Charles II, James II and William III.-Origins and education:... |
Edmund Fowell Edmund Fowell Edmund Fowell was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1646 and 1660.Fowell was the son of John Fowell of Plymouth. He matriculated at Broadgates Hall, Oxford on 3 May 1616, aged 18... |
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| June 1660 | Sir William Morice William Morice (Secretary of State) Sir William Morice was an English statesman and theologian. He served as Secretary of State for the Northern Department and a Lord of the Treasury from June 1660 to September 1668.... |
Samuel Trelawny Samuel Trelawny Samuel Trelawny was an English lawyer and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1659 and 1666.Trelawny was the eldest surviving son of Robert Trelawny and was baptised on 31 March 1630. His father was a merchant of Ham and MP for Plymouth... |
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| 1666 | Sir Gilbert Talbot | |||||
| 1677 | John Sparke | |||||
| 1679 | Sir John Maynard John Maynard (MP) Sir John Maynard KS was an English lawyer and politician, prominent under the reigns of Charles I, the Commonwealth, Charles II, James II and William III.-Origins and education:... |
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| 1680 | Sir William Jones William Jones (law-officer) -Life:He was son of Richard Jones, of Stowey, Somerset, M.P. for Somerset in 1654, and entered Gray's Inn on 6 May 1647. He was called to the bar, and acquired a practice in the court of king's bench... |
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| 1685 | Bernard Granville | The Earl of Ranelagh Richard Jones, 1st Earl of Ranelagh Richard Jones, 1st Earl of Ranelagh PC FRS , known as The Viscount Ranelagh between 1669 and 1677, was an Irish peer, politician both in the Parliaments of England and Ireland.-Background:... |
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| January 1689 | Sir John Maynard John Maynard (MP) Sir John Maynard KS was an English lawyer and politician, prominent under the reigns of Charles I, the Commonwealth, Charles II, James II and William III.-Origins and education:... |
Arthur Herbert Arthur Herbert, 1st Earl of Torrington Arthur Herbert, 1st Earl of Torrington was a British admiral and politician of the late 17th and early 18th century. Cashiered as a rear-admiral by James II of England in 1688 for refusing to vote to repeal the Test Act, which prevented Catholics from holding offices, he brought the Invitation to... |
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| July 1689 | John Granville | |||||
| 1690 | John Trelawny | |||||
| 1695 | George Parker | |||||
| 1698 | Major General Charles Trelawny Charles Trelawny Major-General Charles Trelawny was a British Army officer of Cornish descent, the fourth son of Sir Jonathan Trelawny, 2nd Baronet.... |
Sir John Rogers Sir John Rogers, 1st Baronet Sir John Rogers, 1st Baronet was an English politician and merchant.He was the eldest son and only surviving child of John Rogers and his wife Elizabeth Payne, daughter of Sir Robert Payne. Rogers entered the English House of Commons as Member of Parliament for Plymouth in 1698, representing the... |
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| 1701 | Brigadier Henry Trelawny Henry Trelawny Brigadier-General Henry Trelawny was a British Army officer of Cornish descent, the seventh and youngest son of Sir Jonathan Trelawny, 2nd Baronet and Mary Seymour.He married Rebecca Hals , by whom he had children, including:... |
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| 1702 | John Woolcombe | |||||
| 1705 | Rear Admiral Sir George Byng George Byng, 1st Viscount Torrington Admiral of the Fleet George Byng, 1st Viscount Torrington, KB PC was a British naval officer and statesman of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. His career included service as First Lord of the Admiralty during the reign of King George II.-Naval career:Byng was born at Wrotham, Kent, England... |
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| 1713 | Sir John Rogers Sir John Rogers, 2nd Baronet Sir John Rogers, 2nd Baronet was an English lawyer and politician.Baptised at St Andrew's, Plymouth, he was the only son of Sir John Rogers, 1st Baronet and his wife Mary Vincent, daughter of Spencer Vincent. In 1710, he succeeded his father as baronet... |
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| 1721 | Hon. Pattee Byng Pattee Byng, 2nd Viscount Torrington Pattee Byng, 2nd Viscount Torrington, PC , was a British naval officer and statesman of the late 17th and early 18th centuries... |
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| 1722 | William Chetwynd | |||||
| 1727 | Arthur Stert | George Treby | ||||
| 1728 | Robert Byng Robert Byng Robert Byng was the third son of George Byng, 1st Viscount Torrington by his wife Margaret Master. On 19 December 1734 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan Forward, and by her had issue, including an eldest son, George, born 1735. This George, later of Wrotham Park, was the father of John... |
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| 1739 | John Rogers Sir John Rogers, 3rd Baronet Sir John Rogers, 3rd Baronet was a British lawyer and politician.-Background:Baptised in Cornwood, he was the oldest son of Sir John Rogers, 2nd Baronet and his wife Mary Henley, daughter of Sir Robert Henley. Rogers was educated at New College, Oxford, where he matriculated in 1724... |
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| January 1740 | Captain Charles Vanbrugh | |||||
| November 1740 | Lord Henry Beauclerk | |||||
| 1741 | Admiral Lord Vere Beauclerk | |||||
| 1750 | Captain Charles Saunders | |||||
| 1754 | The Viscount Barrington | Samuel Dicker Samuel Dicker Samuel Dicker , was an English politician who represented Plymouth in the British House of Commons in the eighteenth century, and was also responsible for the building of the first Walton Bridge in Surrey.... |
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| 1760 | Vice Admiral George Pocock George Pocock Sir George Pocock, KB was a British officer of the Royal Navy. He rose to the rank of admiral.Pocock was from Chieveley in Berkshire, the son of Thomas Pocock, a chaplain in the navy. George Pocock entered the navy in 1718, serving aboard under the patronage of his maternal uncle, Captain... |
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| 1768 | Admiral Sir Francis Holburne Francis Holburne Admiral Sir Francis Holburne was a Royal Navy officer who also served as a Member of Parliament.-Naval career:Francis entered the Navy in 1720 as a volunteer aboard , passing his examinations in 1725... |
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| 1771 | Admiral Sir Charles Hardy Charles Hardy Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Hardy was a Royal Navy officer and colonial governor of New York.-Early career:Born at Portsmouth, the son of a vice admiral, Charles Hardy joined the Royal Navy as a volunteer in 1731.... |
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| 1778 | Viscount Lewisham George Legge, 3rd Earl of Dartmouth George Legge, 3rd Earl of Dartmouth KG, PC, FRS , styled Viscount Lewisham until 1801, was a British politician.-Background:... |
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| 1780 | Sir Frederick Leman Rogers | Vice Admiral George Darby George Darby Vice Admiral George Darby was an officer in the Royal Navy. He was the second son of Jonathan Darby III Esq. , of Leap Castle, in King's County, Ireland.-Early career:Darby joined the Royal Navy as a volunteer... |
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| 1784 | Captain John Macbride John MacBride (Royal Navy officer) John MacBride was an officer of the Royal Navy and a politician who saw service during the Seven Years' War, the American War of Independence and the French Revolutionary Wars, eventually rising to the rank of Admiral of the Blue.MacBride entered the navy after serving on merchant vessels and... |
Captain Robert Fanshawe | ||||
| 1790 | Captain Alan Gardner Alan Gardner, 1st Baron Gardner Admiral Alan Gardner, 1st Baron Gardner was a British Royal Navy officer and peer of the realm. He became one of the Georgian era's most dashing frigate captains and, ultimately, a respected senior admiral.-Naval career:... |
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| 1790 | Sir Frederick Leman Rogers | |||||
| 1796 | William Elford Sir William Elford, 1st Baronet Sir William Elford, 1st Baronet , was an English banker, politician, and amateur artist.-Background:William Elford of Bickham, Buckland Monachorum, Devon, was the elder son of the Reverend Lancelot Elford, of Bickham, and Grace, daughter of Alexander Wills of Kingsbridge, Devonshire... |
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| 1797 | Francis Glanville | |||||
| 1802 | Philip Langmead | |||||
| March 1806 | Thomas Tyrwhitt Thomas Tyrwhitt (MP) Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt was Member of Parliament for Okehampton.-Career:Educated at Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford and after serving as private secretary to the Prince of Wales, Tyrwhitt was elected Member of Parliament for Okehampton in 1796... |
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| November 1806 | Admiral Sir Charles Pole | |||||
| 1812 | Colonel Benjamin Bloomfield Benjamin Bloomfield, 1st Baron Bloomfield Lieutenant-General Benjamin Bloomfield, 1st Baron Bloomfield GCB GCH was Private Secretary to the Sovereign 1817–1822.... |
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| February 1818 | Sir William Congreve | |||||
| June 1818 | Sir Thomas Byam Martin Thomas Byam Martin Admiral Sir Thomas Byam Martin, GCB was a highly influential British Royal Navy officer who served at sea during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars and then as a naval administrator until his death in 1854... |
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| 1828 | Sir George Cockburn | |||||
| 1832 | John Collier | Whig British Whig Party The Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule... |
Thomas Beaumont Bewes | Whig British Whig Party The Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule... |
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| 1841 | Thomas Gill | Whig British Whig Party The Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule... |
Viscount Ebrington Hugh Fortescue, 3rd Earl Fortescue Hugh Fortescue, 3rd Earl Fortescue , known as Viscount Ebrington from 1841 to 1861, was a British peer and occasional politician.He entered the House of Commons in 1841 as a member for Plymouth... |
Whig British Whig Party The Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule... |
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| 1847 | Roundell Palmer Roundell Palmer, 1st Earl of Selborne Roundell Palmer, 1st Earl of Selborne PC , was a British lawyer and politician. He served twice as Lord Chancellor of Great Britain.-Background and education:... |
Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| 1852 | Charles John Mare | Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
(Sir) Robert Porrett Collier Robert Collier, 1st Baron Monkswell Robert Porrett Collier, 1st Baron Monkswell was an English lawyer, politician and judge.-Background and education:Collier was the son of a prominent merchant of Quaker extraction. He was educated at Oxford.-Career:... |
Whig British Whig Party The Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule... |
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| 1853 | Roundell Palmer Roundell Palmer, 1st Earl of Selborne Roundell Palmer, 1st Earl of Selborne PC , was a British lawyer and politician. He served twice as Lord Chancellor of Great Britain.-Background and education:... |
Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| 1857 | James White James White (English politician) James White was an English Liberal Party politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1857 and 1874.White was the second son of William White of Tulse Hill, Surrey and his wife Susannah née Weeks. He was educated privately. He was merchant in the City of London, principally engaged in trade... |
Whig British Whig Party The Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule... |
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| 1859 | Viscount Valletort William Edgcumbe, 4th Earl of Mount Edgcumbe William Henry Edgcumbe, 4th Earl of Mount Edgcumbe GCVO, PC , styled Viscount Valletort between 1839 and 1861, was a British courtier and Conservative politician.-Background:... |
Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| 1861 | Walter Morrison Walter Morrison (MP) Walter Morrison was an English Liberal and Liberal Unionist politician who sat in the House of Commons in thre periods between 1861 and 1900.... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| 1871 | Sir Edward Bates Sir Edward Bates, 1st Baronet Sir Edward Bates, 1st Baronet was a ship-owner and Conservative politician who represented Plymouth.Bates was the son of Joseph Bates, a wool finisher and exporter and his wife Rebekah Walker. He was sent to Calcutta in 1833 to join his elder brother in the business which his father had started... |
Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| 1874 | Sampson Samuel Lloyd | Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| April 1880 | Peter Stewart Macliver Peter Stewart Macliver Peter Stewart Macliver was a Scottish journalist and Liberal Party politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1880 to 1885.... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| July 1880 | (Sir) Edward Clarke, QC Edward George Clarke Sir Edward George Clarke QC QC was a British barrister and politician, considered one of the leading advocates of the late Victorian era and serving as Solicitor-General in the Conservative government of 1886–1892... |
Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| 1885 | Sir Edward Bates Sir Edward Bates, 1st Baronet Sir Edward Bates, 1st Baronet was a ship-owner and Conservative politician who represented Plymouth.Bates was the son of Joseph Bates, a wool finisher and exporter and his wife Rebekah Walker. He was sent to Calcutta in 1833 to join his elder brother in the business which his father had started... |
Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| 1892 | Sir William Pearce Sir William Pearce, 2nd Baronet Sir William George Pearce, 2nd Baronet was a British industrialist and Conservative Party politician in England.... |
Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| 1895 | Charles Harrison Charles Harrison (British politician) Charles Harrison was a British Liberal Party politician.Harrison was born in Muswell Hill, Middlesex, and was the third son of Frederick Harrison, a stockbroker, and his wife, Jane Brice. He was educated at King's College School and King's College London... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| 1898 | Sigismund Mendl | Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| February 1900 | Hon. Ivor Churchill Guest | Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| October 1900 | Henry Duke Henry Duke, 1st Baron Merrivale Henry Edward Duke, 1st Baron Merrivale PC, QC , was a British judge and Conservative politician. He served as Chief Secretary for Ireland between 1916 and 1918.-Background and education:... |
Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| April 1904 | Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| 1906 | Thomas William Dobson Thomas William Dobson Thomas William Dobson was a Liberal Member of Parliament representing Plymouth, from 1906 to 1910.- External links :... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
Charles Edward Mallet | Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| January 1910 | Aneurin Williams Aneurin Williams Aneurin Williams was a British Liberal Party politician.He was MP for Plymouth between the two general elections of 1910, and North West Durham from 1914 to 1918, and Consett from 1918 to 1922.- External links :... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| December 1910 | Waldorf Astor Waldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor Waldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor was an American-born British politician and newspaper proprietor.-Early life:... |
Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
Arthur Shirley Benn | Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| 1918 United Kingdom general election, 1918 The United Kingdom general election of 1918 was the first to be held after the Representation of the People Act 1918, which meant it was the first United Kingdom general election in which nearly all adult men and some women could vote. Polling was held on 14 December 1918, although the count did... |
Constituency abolished | |||||