Richard Rigby facts for kids

Richard Rigby (February 1722 – 8 April 1788) was an English politician and government worker. He was a member of the British House of Commons for 43 years, from 1745 to 1788. He also served as the Chief Secretary for Ireland and the Paymaster of the Forces. Rigby became very wealthy while working for the government during the active 18th-century parliament.

Who Was Richard Rigby?

Early Life and Family History

Richard Rigby's family came from a place called Mistley Hall in Essex, England. His father, also named Richard Rigby, and his ancestors made a lot of money. They were successful as cloth merchants in London, as traders and government officials in the West Indies, and by investing in big companies.

Rigby's father played an important role in the history of Jamaica. He served as the secretary and a member of the Royal Assembly there. The family was also involved in owning plantations in places like Antigua. Richard Rigby's mother, Anne Hyde, was a cousin of Queen Anne and Queen Mary. Richard Rigby studied at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and the Middle Temple.

A Long Political Career

Rigby began his political journey in 1745 when he was elected to Parliament for Castle Rising. Later, he moved to represent Sudbury. At first, he supported Frederick, Prince of Wales.

He then became a strong supporter of the Duke of Bedford. Rigby served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Tavistock, which was a "pocket borough" controlled by the Duke of Bedford. He became the Duke's main contact in the House of Commons.

In 1755, Rigby became a junior minister as one of the Lords of Trade. In 1757, he also held a seat in the Irish House of Commons for Old Leighlin until 1761.

Working in Ireland

When the Duke of Bedford became Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland in 1758, Rigby went with him as Secretary. This was a time of peace in Ireland. The next year, Rigby was given the job of Master of the Rolls in Ireland. This was a high legal position, but for Rigby, it was mostly a job that paid well without much work. He never actually served as a judge.

In 1762, Rigby was considered for a promotion to Secretary at War. However, he preferred to keep his well-paying jobs that didn't require much effort. Instead, in 1765, he became a joint Vice-Treasurer of Ireland. Rigby was known for having a strong temper, but he could also be very charming. People who knew him found him to be a puzzling person.

Paymaster of the Forces

In 1768, Rigby received one of the most profitable government jobs: Paymaster of the Forces. He held this position for 16 years. He was a key figure in opposing John Wilkes, a famous politician. He also spoke out against giving a public funeral to Pitt the Elder. When Rigby passed away in 1788, it was said he had left behind a very large sum of public money.

Building a Fortune

Richard Rigby used much of his wealth to improve his family's estates at Mistley and Manningtree. He hired top architects and artists to design a port and a spa there. The spa project didn't succeed, but the remains of Mistley Towers are still a popular place to visit today.

While other family members continued to use the Rigby name, most of Richard Rigby's wealth went to his sister Martha. She married General Bernard Hale. Eventually, the wealth passed to the Pitt-Rivers family.