Henry Grey Bennet facts for kids
Henry Grey Bennet (born December 2, 1777 – died May 29, 1836) was an important British politician. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society, which means he was recognized for his contributions to science.
About Henry Grey Bennet
Henry Grey Bennet was born into a well-known family. He was the second of three sons and the fourth of eight children of Charles Bennet, who was the 4th Earl of Tankerville. His mother was Emma, Lady Tankerville.
He received a good education at Eton College from 1788 to 1792. Later, he served in the 1st Foot Guards, which is a famous part of the British army. He also studied law, joining Lincoln's Inn in 1798 and Peterhouse, Cambridge, in 1799. He became a lawyer in 1803.
Bennet began his political career by trying to become a Member of Parliament (MP) for Shrewsbury in 1806. However, his first election was not accepted. He supported Catholic Emancipation, which was a movement to give more rights to Catholics in Britain. This view led to his defeat in 1807. But he tried again and successfully became an MP in 1811. His very first speech in the House of Commons was directed at the Prince Regent, who was ruling the country at the time.
From 1813 to 1815, Henry Grey Bennet was the second president of the Geological Society of London. This society is dedicated to studying the Earth's rocks and history. He even wrote about the Island of Tenerife, sharing his observations about its geology.
After a sad event called the Peterloo massacre in 1819, where many people were hurt during a peaceful protest, Bennet asked for an investigation. He wanted to understand the problems faced by people in manufacturing areas. He also defended Queen Caroline in 1820–21 during a difficult time for her.
Bennet's political career ended suddenly in 1824. This was a very tough time for him, as he had lost his only son and a daughter not long before. After leaving politics, he traveled to Europe in 1825. He later lived near Lake Como in Italy with his wife until he passed away in 1836 at the age of 58.
Henry Grey Bennet also wrote several short books or essays called pamphlets. He was also a respected member of the Royal Society, a group that promotes science.
His Family Life
In 1816, Henry Grey Bennet married Gertrude Frances. She was the daughter of Lord William Russell. Together, they had one son and three daughters. Gertrude passed away in 1841.
