Sir George Bowyer, 6th Baronet facts for kids
Sir George Bowyer (born March 3, 1783 – died July 1, 1860) was an important British politician. He served in the House of Commons, which is like the main law-making body in Britain. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) during two different times between 1807 and 1818. First, he was part of the Tory political group, and later he joined the Whig group.
George Bowyer was born at Radley Hall in Berkshire, England. His father was Admiral Sir George Bowyer, 5th Baronet, a naval officer. His mother was Henrietta Brett. In 1800, when he was 17, George became a baronet after his father passed away. This title is a bit like a knight, passed down through the family.
He went to Christ Church, Oxford, a famous university. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1804 and a Master of Arts degree in 1807. Before his political career, he was a captain in the Berkshire Militia, a local military group, from 1803 to 1804.
Political Career
George Bowyer's journey in politics began in 1807. He was elected as an MP for Malmesbury. At this time, he was a member of the Tory party. He stayed in this role until 1810. He resigned because he was given a new job as the Steward of the Manor of East Hendred.
He returned to Parliament a year later, in 1811. This time, he joined the Whig party. He was elected as the MP for Abingdon without anyone running against him. He was re-elected in 1812, winning by a large number of votes against his Tory opponent. He continued to represent Abingdon until the 1818 general election.
Financial Challenges
In 1815, George Bowyer faced some money problems. Because of this, he had to sell many things from his family home, Radley Hall. After selling his belongings, he moved with his family to Italy. In 1850, he changed his religion and became a Roman Catholic.
Family Life
On November 19, 1808, George Bowyer married Anne Hammond Douglas. She was the oldest daughter of Sir Andrew Snape Douglas, who was also a captain. George and Anne had three sons and one daughter together.
Later Life and Death
Sir George Bowyer passed away on July 1, 1860, in Dresden, Germany. However, he was buried back in his home area, at Radley. His sons, George and William, inherited his baronet titles one after the other.
Honours and Awards
Sir George Bowyer received several special honours during his life. These included:
- Knight of the Venerable Order of Saint John (KStJ)
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Gregory the Great (GCSG)
- Knight Commander of the Order of Pius IX (KCPO)
These awards recognized his contributions and service.
