James Winstanley facts for kids
James Winstanley (born around 1667 – died 22 January 1719) was an important British lawyer and a politician from the Tory party. He lived during a time when Britain was changing a lot. He is remembered for his work in law and for serving in Parliament.
Who Was James Winstanley?
James Winstanley was born in England around the year 1667. He was the only son of Clement Winstanley and his wife Catherine. His family was well-known in the area. His father, Clement, lived at Braunstone Hall. His mother, Catherine, was the daughter of Sir Francis Willoughby from Wollaton Hall.
Early Life and Education
James received a good education for his time. In 1684, he started studying at Jesus College, Cambridge, which is a famous university. After his university studies, he went on to study law. On 4 February 1688, he was accepted into Gray's Inn. This was one of the special schools in London where people learned to become lawyers.
Family Life
Around the year 1701, James Winstanley got married. His wife was Frances Holt. She was the daughter of James Holt, who lived in Castleton, Lancashire. James and Frances had a large family together. They had two sons and six daughters.
A Career in Politics
James Winstanley became involved in politics. In the second general election of 1701, he was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for Leicester. A Member of Parliament (MP) is someone elected by the people to represent them in the country's government. A general election is when people vote for their representatives.
He served as an MP for many years. He continued to represent Leicester in Parliament until he passed away. James Winstanley died on 22 January 1719. He was 51 years old at the time of his death.
