Sir George Warrender, 1st Baronet facts for kids
Sir George Warrender, 1st Baronet (born around 1658 – died 4 March 1721) was a Scottish businessman and politician. He lived in Bruntsfield and Lochend, Edinburgh. Sir George served as a Member of Parliament in the British House of Commons from 1715 to 1722.
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Early Life and Business
George Warrender was the only son of George Warrender and Margaret Cunninghame. His father passed away when George was very young. He grew up to become a successful merchant in Edinburgh, dealing with goods from other countries.
He worked hard and became very wealthy. In 1675, he bought a large estate called Bruntsfield. Over time, he bought more land nearby. He eventually owned another important property called Lochend.
Family Life
Sir George Warrender married Margaret Lawrie on April 13, 1680. She was the daughter of Thomas Lawrie, another merchant from Edinburgh. Margaret passed away in 1699.
Six months later, in December 1699, he married Grissel Blair. She was the daughter of Hugh Blair, who was also a merchant in Edinburgh. Sir George had children with both his first and second wives.
Public Service and Politics
In 1705, Sir George joined a group of businessmen. This group was in charge of collecting taxes on goods coming into Scotland. They also collected taxes on some local products for three years.
From 1713 to 1714, he held an important position. He was the Lord Provost of Edinburgh. This role is similar to being the mayor of a city.
Supporting the Government
Sir George Warrender was a member of the Whig political party. He supported the Hanoverian succession. This meant he believed that King George I should be the ruler of Great Britain. When King George I became king, Sir George officially announced it in Edinburgh.
In 1715, he was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Edinburgh. This happened during the 1715 British general election. Soon after, on June 2, 1715, he was given the special title of Baronet. This title made him Sir George Warrender, of Lochend.
Role in Parliament
As an MP, Sir George always voted with the government. This showed his strong support for their policies. In 1715, a major event called the Jacobite rebellion began. Sir George was in London at the time. However, he decided it was more important to be in Edinburgh. He felt he could help more there during the rebellion.
After the rebellion, in 1716, he asked for money to cover his costs. He also wanted to be paid for the business he lost during that time. He continued to support the government in Parliament.
Later Life and Legacy
Sir George Warrender passed away in London on March 4, 1721. He was buried at Bunhill Fields. His eldest son, John, inherited his title and became the next Baronet.
