Rowland Gwynne facts for kids
Rowland Gwynne (FRS) (born around 1658 – died January 24, 1726) was a Welsh politician. He came from Llanelwedd, a place in Radnorshire, Wales. He was part of the Whig political group.
Early Life and Education
Rowland Gwynne was born in about 1658. He was the oldest son of George Gwynne. His mother was Sybill. His family was from Llanelwedd. When his father died around 1673, Rowland inherited a lot of money and land. He was very rich at a young age.
He went to St John's College, Oxford in 1674 when he was 15. Later, in 1679, he studied law at Gray's Inn.
Working for the King
Rowland Gwynne worked for King Charles II. He was a Gentleman of the Privy Chamber from 1671 to 1683. This was a special role in the king's household. In 1680, the king made him a knight.
He was also chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1681. This is a group for important scientists and thinkers.
His Time in Politics
Rowland Gwynne became a Member of Parliament (MP) many times. He represented different areas in Wales and England:
- Radnorshire in 1679, 1681, and 1689.
- Breconshire in 1690, 1698, and 1701-1702.
- Bere Alston in 1695.
He was always a Whig. The Whigs were a political group that believed in the power of Parliament. He strongly disagreed with the religious ideas of King James II. He was a big supporter of the Glorious Revolution. This event changed who was king in England. He had to live in the Netherlands for five years before the revolution.
After the revolution, he worked for King William III. He was the Treasurer of the Chamber from 1689 to 1693. This was a minor role in the royal court. After King William died, Rowland Gwynne tried to get close to the new royal family, the House of Hanover. He wanted to be friends with the future King George I, but his efforts were not successful.
Family and Later Years
Rowland Gwynne married Mary Bassett. She was from Glamorganshire and also had a lot of money. They did not have any children. Mary passed away before him in 1722.
Later in his life, Rowland Gwynne faced financial difficulties. He had spent a lot of his own money and his wife's money. He died in Southwark, south London, on January 24, 1726. He was 66 years old.
