Joseph Martin (MP for Ipswich) facts for kids
Joseph Martin (born around 1649 – died August 16, 1729) was a London businessman and politician. He was a member of the British House of Commons (which is part of the UK Parliament) in 1701 and again from 1710 to 1715.
Contents
Who Was Joseph Martin?
Joseph Martin lived a long life, reaching about 80 years old. He was known for his work as a merchant, which means he bought and sold goods, often across different countries. He also played a part in British politics.
Early Life and Business
Joseph Martin was born around the year 1649. He grew up to become a successful merchant. His main business involved trading goods with countries around the Baltic Sea. This area includes countries like Sweden, Poland, and Russia.
He was also a member of important trading groups. These included the Levant Company, which traded with countries in the Middle East, and the New East India Company, which focused on trade with Asia. These companies were very powerful in their time.
A Career in Politics
Joseph Martin was involved in politics for several years. He served as a MP, which means he was elected by people to represent them in the British Parliament.
Representing Ipswich and Hastings
In 1701, Joseph Martin briefly became an MP for the town of Ipswich. After this, from 1702 to 1705, he worked as a consul in Moscow, Russia. A consul is like a representative who helps their country's citizens and promotes trade in another country.
He returned to Parliament in 1710 as the MP for Hastings. However, in the election of 1715, he was not re-elected. After that, he decided not to run for Parliament again.
Important Roles and Knighthood
While he was an MP from 1710 to 1715, Joseph Martin also held other important positions. He was a director of the South Sea Company. This was a large British trading company that also dealt with government finances.
On July 22, 1712, he was given the title of "Sir," becoming a knight. From 1713 to 1715, he worked as a special official called a Commissary. In this role, he helped with important talks about trade between Britain and France.
Later Life
Joseph Martin passed away on August 16, 1729, when he was about 80 years old. He had been married and had a family, including three sons and three daughters.
