Richard Foley (politician) facts for kids
Richard Foley (born February 19, 1681 – died March 27, 1732) was an English lawyer and a member of the House of Commons. This was a very important part of the British Parliament, where laws were made. He served there from 1711 until he passed away in 1732.
Early Life and Family
Richard Foley came from an important family. His father was Thomas Foley from Witley Court in Worcestershire. His grandfather, also named Thomas Foley, was a successful ironmaster, meaning he ran a big business making iron.
Richard had two older brothers, Thomas and Edward. He decided to become a lawyer. In 1695, he joined Lincoln's Inn, which is one of the places in London where lawyers are trained. He officially became a lawyer in 1702.
A Career in Law
After becoming a lawyer, Richard Foley worked at the Court of Common Pleas. This was a major court in England that handled many legal cases. He held a special role there called "second prothonotary" from 1703 until he died. This job involved managing court records and documents.
Richard was also interested in science and learning. In 1708, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very old and respected group of scientists. However, he left the group in 1712. Later, in 1726, he became a "bencher" at Lincoln's Inn, which is a senior position for experienced lawyers there.
Time in Parliament
Richard Foley became a Member of Parliament (MP) for the area called Droitwich. He was first elected in a special election in 1711. His family was well-known in the area, which helped him get elected.
He was re-elected without anyone running against him in the general elections of 1713, 1715, 1722, and 1727. This means he was a very popular choice in Droitwich! He continued to serve as an MP until his death in 1732. In Parliament, he often voted with the "Opposition," which means he disagreed with the government's main ideas. His brother Edward was also an MP for Droitwich, both before and after Richard.
Later Life
Richard Foley never married and did not have any children. He passed away on March 27, 1732. He had a lot of property and money, and when he died, everything went to his older brother, Edward.
