John Wilmot (politician) facts for kids
John Eardley Wilmot (born 1748 – died June 23, 1815) was a British lawyer and politician. He was a member of the House of Commons, which is like the main part of the British government, from 1776 to 1796.
Early Life and Education
John Eardley Wilmot was born in Derby in 1748. His father, Sir John Eardley Wilmot, was a very important judge called the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas.
Young John went to Westminster School and then to Oxford University. He even became a special member, called a fellow, at All Souls College. He first thought about becoming a priest in the Church of England, but later decided to study law instead. When he became a lawyer, his father joked that he was "quitting a bed of roses for a crown o' thorns," meaning he was choosing a harder path.
Political and Legal Career
In 1776, John Eardley Wilmot was elected to parliament for Tiverton. He joined the group that disagreed with the government at the time. He even wrote a pamphlet (a small book) saying that the American Revolutionary War should stop.
Later, in 1781, he became a legal official in the Court of Chancery. In 1782, he was asked to help investigate how money was given to people who had supported Britain during the American Revolution, known as American loyalists. He spoke in parliament about this, saying he would share everything he had with these people. In 1784, he was part of a group called the St. Alban's Tavern group that tried to bring two important politicians, Charles James Fox and William Pitt, together.
From 1784 to 1796, Wilmot represented Coventry in parliament. He supported the ideas of William Pitt. He also strongly disliked the French revolution. He helped set up a fund to give money to people who had to leave France because of the revolution. He also wrote a book about English laws and customs. In 1779, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a famous group for scientists.
Later Life and Family
In 1804, Wilmot stopped working in public life and spent his time writing. He wrote books about his father and another important person named Bishop Hough. In 1815, the year he died, his book An Historical Review of the Commission relative to the American Loyalists was published.
He lived in places like Berkswell Hall and Bruce Castle. He was known as an honest and trustworthy person, who was also very smart and good at speaking.
John Eardley Wilmot was married twice. With his first wife, he had one son, Sir John Eardley-Wilmot, 1st Baronet, and four daughters. He married his second wife in 1793, and they had two children who sadly died young.
