John Evelyn (1677–1702) facts for kids
John Evelyn (born 3 October 1677 – died 13 November 1702) was an English politician. He came from an important family in Surrey. His time in Parliament was very short. He sadly died from smallpox just a few months after starting his political career.
Early Life and Family
John Evelyn was the oldest son of George Evelyn. His father lived in a place called Godstone. John's mother was Margaret Webb. When his father passed away in 1699, John took over the family estate in Godstone.
In 1701, John planned to marry Ann Glynne. She was the daughter of John Glynne and the granddaughter of a famous judge, John Glynne. However, it seems the marriage never actually happened.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
In the election of 1702, John Evelyn became a Member of Parliament (MP). He was elected for the area of Bletchingley. This was special because both his father and grandfather had also been MPs for the same place. John was elected "unopposed," which means no one else ran against him.
On his way to take his seat in Parliament, he visited a relative. This was the famous diarist John Evelyn, who was his second cousin. The diarist wrote about John, calling him "a young and very hopeful gentleman."
A Short Life in Politics
Soon after Parliament began, John Evelyn became very ill. He caught smallpox, a serious disease at the time. He sadly passed away on 13 November 1702.
Because his life was cut short, John didn't get to do much as an MP. His family's estates then went to his younger brother, George. People believe John Evelyn was part of a political group called the Whigs. However, because he was in Parliament for such a short time, it's hard to be completely sure.
