Wilbraham Tollemache, 6th Earl of Dysart
Encyclopedia
Wilbraham Tollemache, 6th Earl of Dysart FRS (21 October 1739 – 9 March 1821), known from 1739 to 1799 as Hon. Wilbraham Tollemache, was a British politician, a younger son of Lionel Tollemache, 4th Earl of Dysart
.
Tollemache originally served in the Royal Navy
, and then in the British Army
, retiring in 1775 as a major
in the 6th Regiment of Foot. He first entered the House of Commons
as Member of Parliament
for Northampton
in 1771. On 4 February 1773, he married Anna Maria Lewis, but had no children. He continued to sit for Northampton until 1780, and then represented Liskeard
until 1784. He was High Sheriff of Cheshire
in 1785, and later High Steward
of Ipswich
, like his elder brother.
He inherited the earldom and the accompanying estates from his childless elder brother, Lionel
, in 1799. Wilbraham carried out a program of improvements at Ham House, including the creation of the Yellow Satin Bedroom, and was also a patron of Reynolds
and Gainsborough
.
Dysart died without children. The Tollemache baronetcy became extinct upon his death, while the Earldom of Dysart passed to his sister Louisa.
Lionel Tollemache, 4th Earl of Dysart
Lionel Tollemache, 4th Earl of Dysart KT , styled Lord Huntingtower from 1712 to 1727, was a Scottish nobleman.In 1729, he was elected High Steward of Ipswich....
.
Tollemache originally served in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, and then in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, retiring in 1775 as a major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
in the 6th Regiment of Foot. He first entered 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...
as 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,...
for Northampton
Northampton (UK Parliament constituency)
Northampton was a parliamentary constituency centred on the town of Northampton which existed until 1974.It returned two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom until its representation was reduced to one member for the 1918 general election...
in 1771. On 4 February 1773, he married Anna Maria Lewis, but had no children. He continued to sit for Northampton until 1780, and then represented Liskeard
Liskeard (UK Parliament constituency)
Liskeard was a parliamentary borough in Cornwall, which elected two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons from 1295 until 1832, and then one member from 1832 until 1885, when the borough was abolished.- History :...
until 1784. He was High Sheriff of Cheshire
High Sheriff of Cheshire
The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred elsewhere or are now defunct, so that its functions...
in 1785, and later High Steward
High steward (civic)
High steward is an honorary title bestowed by the councils or charter trustees of certain towns and cities in England. Originally a judicial office with considerable local powers, by the 17th century it had declined to a largely ceremonial role. The title is usually awarded for life, and in some...
of Ipswich
Ipswich
Ipswich is a large town and a non-metropolitan district. It is the county town of Suffolk, England. Ipswich is located on the estuary of the River Orwell...
, like his elder brother.
He inherited the earldom and the accompanying estates from his childless elder brother, Lionel
Lionel Tollemache, 5th Earl of Dysart
Lionel Tollemache, 5th Earl of Dysart was a Scottish nobleman, styled Lord Huntingtower from 1727 to 1770....
, in 1799. Wilbraham carried out a program of improvements at Ham House, including the creation of the Yellow Satin Bedroom, and was also a patron of Reynolds
Joshua Reynolds
Sir Joshua Reynolds RA FRS FRSA was an influential 18th-century English painter, specialising in portraits and promoting the "Grand Style" in painting which depended on idealization of the imperfect. He was one of the founders and first President of the Royal Academy...
and Gainsborough
Thomas Gainsborough
Thomas Gainsborough was an English portrait and landscape painter.-Suffolk:Thomas Gainsborough was born in Sudbury, Suffolk. He was the youngest son of John Gainsborough, a weaver and maker of woolen goods. At the age of thirteen he impressed his father with his penciling skills so that he let...
.
Dysart died without children. The Tollemache baronetcy became extinct upon his death, while the Earldom of Dysart passed to his sister Louisa.