Henry Grey (MP)
Henry Grey (17 August 1683 – 9 September 1740) was a British Whig politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1709 and 1740.
Grey was born as Henry Neville, the younger son of Richard Neville of Billingbear House in Berkshire and his wife Katherine Grey, daughter of Ralph Grey, 2nd Baron Grey of Werke. He travelled abroad in Holland, Germany, Italy and France between 1699 and 1700. In 1707, he changed his surname to Grey by Act of Parliament[1] to inherit the estates of his uncle Ralph Grey, 4th Baron Grey of Werke, in Northumberland.[2]
Grey entered Parliament for Wendover at a by-election on 21 November 1709, through the influence of his friend Richard Hampden. He successfully contested this seat at the 1710 British general election, but was defeated when he stood at Orford in the same election. Financial difficulties and attempts to sell his northern estates precluded him from taking an active part in Parliament. He was politically a Whig, and voted against peace with Spain in 1711. He was defeated at Berwick-upon-Tweed at the 1713 British general election, despite the Grey interest in that town, and at a by-election at Wallingford in 1714.[2]
Grey returned to Parliament as MP for Wallingford at a by-election on 1 December 1719. At the 1722 British general election he was defeated at Berkshire, but was returned at a by-election on 11 March 1723 for Berwick-upon-Tweed, where his brother Grey Neville held the other seat. When his brother died later in 1723, he inherited his brother's estate of Billingbear House. He was returned at the 1734 British general election for Reading.[3]
Grey married Elizabeth Griffin, daughter of James Griffin, 2nd Baron Griffin of Braybrooke in 1720, but they had no children. He died on 9 September 1740.[2]
References
- Deed Poll Office: Private Act of Parliament 1706 (6 Ann.). c. 2
- "GREY (formerly NEVILLE), Henry (1683-1740), of Horton, Northants". History of Parliament Online (1690-1715). Retrieved 7 September 2018.
- "GREY, Henry (1683-1740), of Horton, Northumb. and Billingbear, Berks". History of Parliament Online (1715-1754). Retrieved 7 September 2018.
| Parliament of Great Britain | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir Roger Hill Thomas Ellys |
Member of Parliament for Wendover 1709–1713 With: Sir Roger Hill |
Succeeded by Sir Roger Hill Richard Hampden |
| Preceded by Edmund Dunch William Hucks |
Member of Parliament for Wallingford 1719–1722 With: William Hucks |
Succeeded by William Hucks Viscount Parker |
| Preceded by Grey Neville The Viscount Barrington |
Member of Parliament for Berwick-upon-Tweed 1723–1727 With: Grey Neville 1723 William Kerr 1723–1727 |
Succeeded by Joseph Sabine George Liddell |
| Preceded by Richard Thompson Richard Potenger |
Member of Parliament for Reading 1734–1740 With: Richard Potenger 1734–1739 John Blagrave 1739–1740 |
Succeeded by John Blagrave William Strode |