John Petty, 1st Earl of Shelburne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl of Shelburne
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| Member of the Dublin Parliament for Member of Parliament for County Kerry |
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| In office 1743–1751 Serving with Sir Maurice Crosbie
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| Member of the Great Britain Parliament for Member of Parliament for Wycombe |
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| In office 1754–1760 Serving with
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John FitzMaurice
1706 |
| Died | 14 May 1761 (age 55) |
| Resting place | Bowood, Wiltshire, England |
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John Petty Fitzmaurice, 1st Earl of Shelburne (1706 – 14 May 1761) was an important Anglo-Irish politician. He was known by different names during his life. Until 1751, he was called John FitzMaurice. From 1751 to 1753, he was known as The Viscount FitzMaurice. He was the father of William Petty FitzMaurice, who later became the Prime Minister of Great Britain.
Contents
Early Life and Family Connections
John FitzMaurice was born in 1706. He was the second son of Thomas FitzMaurice, 1st Earl of Kerry. His mother was Anne, the daughter of Sir William Petty. John had an older brother, William FitzMaurice, 2nd Earl of Kerry. He was also the nephew of Charles Petty, 1st Baron Shelburne, and Henry Petty, 1st Earl of Shelburne. He went to Westminster School when he was younger.
Becoming the Earl of Shelburne
In 1751, John FitzMaurice inherited land and wealth from his uncle, the Earl of Shelburne. His uncle had no children. After this, John changed his last name to Petty by a special law.
Later that same year, he was given new titles in the Peerage of Ireland. These titles were Baron Dunkeron and Viscount FitzMaurice. A "peerage" means a special rank of nobility. Two years later, in 1753, he was made the Earl of Shelburne. This title was in the County of Wexford, Ireland.
In 1754, he bought a large estate called Bowood Park in Wiltshire, England. He then rebuilt the main house there.
Political Career and Roles
John FitzMaurice held several important political jobs. In 1732, he was the High Sheriff of Kerry. This was a local government role.
Serving in Parliament
In 1743, he became a Member of Parliament in the Irish House of Commons. He represented County Kerry until 1751.
In 1754, he became the Governor of County Kerry. In the same year, he was elected to the British House of Commons for Wycombe. He held this seat until 1760.
Joining the Privy Council and House of Lords
He became a member of the Irish Privy Council in 1754. The Privy Council was a group of advisors to the monarch. In 1760, he received another title: Lord Wycombe, Baron of Chipping Wycombe. This title was in the Peerage of Great Britain. This new title allowed him to have a seat in the English House of Lords.
Family Life
Lord Shelburne married his cousin, Mary FitzMaurice, in 1734. Their younger son, Thomas FitzMaurice, married Mary O'Brien. She later became the Countess of Orkney in her own right.
Lord Shelburne passed away in May 1761. He was buried in Bowood, Wiltshire. His oldest son, William, inherited his title and became the next Earl. William later became the Prime Minister of Great Britain and was made the Marquess of Lansdowne in 1784. The Countess of Shelburne, John's wife, died in 1780.
