Francis Annesley (1663–1750) facts for kids

Francis Annesley (born October 1663, died April 1750) was an important Irish lawyer and politician. He was a member of parliament in Ireland and later in England and Great Britain for many years. Being a politician meant he helped make laws and decisions for the country.

Francis Annesley's Early Life

Francis Annesley was born in October 1663. His father was also named Francis Annesley, and his mother was Deborah Jones. Her father, Henry Jones, was a bishop.

Francis went to Trinity College, Dublin in 1679. He earned his first degree in 1682. Later, in 1725, he earned advanced law degrees.

In 1684, he joined the Inner Temple in London. This was a place where people studied to become lawyers. He became a lawyer in 1690.

In 1695, Francis Annesley married Elizabeth Martin. Her father, Joseph Martin, was a successful merchant in London. This marriage helped Francis financially. In 1700, he became a director for the New East India Company. This company traded goods from faraway lands. In 1704, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a group of important scientists and thinkers.

Political Career

Francis Annesley started his political life in Ireland. He was a "Whig," which was a political group at the time. He wanted to protect the interests of Protestants in Ireland.

He was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Downpatrick in the Parliament of Ireland in 1695. He served there until 1703. From 1699 to 1703, he also worked as a commissioner. His job was to look into and sell lands that had been taken by the government.

In 1705, Francis Annesley became an MP in England for Preston. He was the only person running, so he won easily. Later, in 1708, he became an MP for Westbury. He won this seat without anyone running against him too.

He won the Westbury seat again in 1710 and 1713. At the same time, he was also an MP for Downpatrick in Ireland from 1713 to 1714.

In 1715, he was first given the Westbury seat again. However, after two months, he lost it because of a challenge. In 1716, he was chosen to help manage the property of Lord Bolingbroke, which had been taken by the government.

Francis Annesley won back his seat for Westbury in 1722 and kept it until 1734. During this time, he often voted against the government's plans. He did not run for election in 1734.

Later Life and Family

Francis Annesley married two more times after his first wife died. In 1732, he married Elizabeth Gomeldon. Later, he married Sarah Lady Fowler.

Francis Annesley passed away in 1750. He had seven sons and two daughters with his first wife.