Francis St John facts for kids
Francis St John (1634 – 29 July 1705) was an English lawyer and politician. He was a member of the House of Commons, which is like a part of the government that makes laws. He served there at different times between 1654 and 1698.
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Early Life and Education
Francis St John was born in 1634. His father was Oliver St John. Francis went to Oundle School and later studied at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, a famous university. He also studied law at Lincoln's Inn, which is a place where people learn to become lawyers. He became a lawyer in 1656.
A Career in Politics
Francis St John was elected to Parliament many times. Being a Member of Parliament (MP) means you represent a certain area in the government.
First Steps in Parliament
In 1654, Francis St John was chosen to be an MP for Tewkesbury. Later, he became an MP for Peterborough in 1656. During this time, he also helped with trade and managed local lands. He worked as a Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for Peterborough, which meant he helped keep law and order in the area.
Serving During Changing Times
He was elected MP for Peterborough again in 1659. In 1660, he was elected for the Convention Parliament. However, there were some problems with the election, and he lost his seat.
Return to Public Life
After a period of political change in England called the Restoration, Francis St John's father faced difficulties. Francis himself took a break from politics for a while. He spent time building a large library of history books at his home, Thorpe Hall.
He returned to Parliament in 1679, again representing Peterborough. He was re-elected in 1681 and 1698. By 1701, he was a Justice of the Peace for both Northamptonshire and Peterborough.
Family and Later Life
Francis St John was married twice. His first wife was Mary Wakering, and they had a son. Later, he married Mary Forth in 1674. With Mary Forth, he had three sons and a daughter.
Francis St John passed away on 29 July 1705, at the age of 70. He was buried in St John the Baptist Church in Peterborough.
