Edward des Bouverie facts for kids

Sir Edward des Bouverie (born 1688, died 1736) was an important British landowner and politician. He was known as the 2nd Baronet, a special title he inherited. From 1719 to 1734, he was a member of the House of Commons, which is like a parliament where laws are made.

In 1717, Sir Edward inherited his father's title and a lot of wealth. This allowed him to buy Longford Castle in Wiltshire, a beautiful old building. This castle has been owned by his family for over 300 years!

Sir Edward des Bouverie bought Longford Castle. Later, his family, especially the Earls of Radnor, made many changes and additions to it.

Early Life and Family History

Edward des Bouverie was born in 1688. He was the oldest son of Sir William des Bouverie, a successful merchant from London, and his second wife, Anne Urry. The des Bouverie family were Huguenots, which means they were French Protestants who came to England in the 1500s to escape religious persecution. They settled in Canterbury.

When Edward was 12, he started training as a merchant. He was sent to Aleppo to work as an apprentice for his uncle, Sir Christopher des Bouverie. For a while, he even ran his own cloth business in Cyprus.

His father was given the special title of a baronet in 1714. This title is passed down through the family. Edward became the 2nd Baronet when his father passed away on May 19, 1717.

Buying Longford Castle

In the same year he became a baronet, Edward bought Longford Castle in Britford, Wiltshire. He bought it from Lord Coleraine. Longford Castle has stayed in his family ever since.

On July 7, 1718, Sir Edward married Mary Smyth. She was the daughter of John Smyth, who worked for the government collecting taxes. They got married in a chapel in London.

Political Career in Parliament

Longford Castle is about 19 miles east of Shaftesbury. Sir Edward des Bouverie became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Shaftesbury on January 24, 1719. He was a member of the Tory political party.

He was re-elected as MP for Shaftesbury in the general elections of 1722 and 1727. In Parliament, he always voted with the Opposition. This means he voted against the Whig government that was in power at the time. He did not run for election in 1734.

Later Life and Legacy

Sir Edward des Bouverie passed away on November 21, 1736, in Aix-en-Provence, France. He was 47 or 48 years old. His wife, Lady Mary, had died earlier, on January 3, 1721. She was buried in Britford.

Sir Edward and Lady Mary did not have any children. So, when Sir Edward died, his younger brother, Jacob, inherited his title and estates. Sir Edward was also buried in Britford.