List of MPs elected in the 1761 British general election facts for kids

Members of Parliament Elected in 1761

This is a list of the people chosen to be Members of Parliament (MPs) in the 1761 British general election. These MPs were elected to the Parliament of Great Britain in 1761. This election created the 12th Parliament of Great Britain. There were 558 MPs elected from 314 different areas, called constituencies. Sometimes, an MP would leave their job, and a new one would be chosen in a special election called a by-election. This list also includes those replacements.

What Was the Parliament of Great Britain?

The Parliament of Great Britain was like the main law-making body for Great Britain. It was made up of two parts: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The MPs listed here were part of the House of Commons.

The Role of an MP in 1761

Being an MP in 1761 was a very important job. These individuals represented different parts of the country. They helped make laws and discuss important issues for the nation. Many MPs came from wealthy families or had important connections.

How MPs Were Chosen

In 1761, not everyone could vote. Only certain men who owned enough property were allowed to cast a ballot. This meant that many people, including all women, could not vote. Elections were often very different from today. Sometimes, a few powerful families controlled who would become an MP in a certain area.

Changes During Parliament

Once elected, an MP usually served until the next general election. However, sometimes an MP's seat would become empty before then. This could happen for several reasons:

• Death: An MP might pass away.
• Taking Office: An MP might get a new job in the government that required them to leave their seat.
• Resignation: An MP might decide to step down from their role.
• Ennoblement: An MP might become a member of the House of Lords, which meant they could no longer be an MP in the House of Commons.
• Expulsion: In rare cases, an MP could be removed from Parliament.

When a seat became empty, a by-election was held to choose a new MP for that area.

Understanding the List of MPs

The original list of MPs from 1761 is very long and detailed. It shows each constituency (the area they represented) and the names of the MPs elected. It also notes any changes that happened during the Parliament's term, like when a new MP replaced someone who died or resigned.

For example, in the constituency of Aberdeen Burghs, David Scott was first elected. But he died, and Sir John Lindsay replaced him in 1767. This shows how the membership of Parliament could change over time.

Another example is John Wilkes, who was elected for Aylesbury. He was later expelled from Parliament, and Anthony Bacon took his place in 1764. These changes were a normal part of how Parliament worked back then.

By-elections and Replacements

Many MPs changed during the 12th Parliament. When an MP left their seat for any reason, a special election, called a by-election, was held to fill the vacant spot. This ensured that every constituency continued to have representation in Parliament.

See also

• 1761 British general election
• List of parliaments of Great Britain
• Unreformed House of Commons