Sir John Rushout, 4th Baronet facts for kids
Sir John Rushout, 4th Baronet (February 6, 1685 – February 2, 1775), lived at Northwick Park in Worcestershire, England. He was a British politician who belonged to the Whig party. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for a very long time, 55 years, from 1713 to 1768.
Sir John was a strong supporter of William Pulteney, who was against the government led by Robert Walpole. For a short time, Sir John was part of the government himself. He became known as the "Father of the House" in 1762, which means he was the longest-serving Member of Parliament at that time.
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Early Life and Family
John Rushout was the fourth son of Sir James Rushout, who was the 1st Baronet. His mother was Alice Pitt. His older brother, James, inherited the title of Baronet when their father passed away.
John went to Eton College, a famous school, in 1698. After school, he joined the army. He became a cornet (a junior officer) in the Royal Horse Guards in 1705 and a lieutenant in 1706. By 1710, he was a captain.
In 1711, his nephew, who was the 3rd Baronet, died. This meant John inherited the title of Baronet and most of his family's land in Worcestershire. He left the army in 1712. In 1729, he married Lady Anne Compton.
A Long Political Career
Sir John Rushout was first elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Malmesbury in 1713. This happened in a special election called a by-election. He was supported by a powerful person named Lord Wharton.
He often voted against government plans. For example, he voted against a trade deal with France in 1713. He was re-elected for Malmesbury later that year. In 1714, he voted against removing a fellow Whig, Richard Steele, from Parliament.
Serving in Parliament
In 1715, Sir John was elected again for Malmesbury. He voted against a bill that would make Parliament's term longer. However, he voted to get rid of laws that were unfair to certain religious groups.
In 1722, he was elected for two areas, Malmesbury and Evesham. But he lost his seat for Malmesbury after a challenge. So, he became the MP for Evesham instead. He helped start an investigation in Parliament about a plot against the government. He also supported a complaint that led to a high-ranking judge, Lord Macclesfield, being investigated.
Joining the Opposition
Sir John became a close friend and supporter of William Pulteney. Pulteney was a leading figure in the Whig opposition, meaning they were against the current government. Sir John spoke out against government spending in 1726. He also tried to pass a law to stop bribery in elections, but it did not become law.
He was re-elected for Evesham in 1727. He played a key role in the opposition. He even acted as Pulteney's helper in a duel (a formal fight) in 1731. He also led a special committee in Parliament. This committee's report helped create the Molasses Act, a law about trade. During a big debate about a tax on goods in 1733, he was considered for a high position if the opposition formed a new government.
Later Years in Parliament
Sir John was re-elected for Evesham in 1734 and again in 1741. He was known for speaking often in Parliament. People said he would always stick out one leg and look at it while he spoke.
When the government leader, Robert Walpole, lost power in 1742, Sir John was given a role on the new Treasury board. This board managed the country's money. He was also part of a secret committee that looked into Walpole's time in power.
In 1743, Sir John became the Treasurer of the Navy. This was a very important job. He also became a Privy Counsellor in 1744, which meant he advised the King. However, he lost his job in 1744 when his political allies also left the government.
He continued to speak out against government policies. He even held up payments to sailors for several months after he was dismissed from his job. In 1746, he was expected to become the Leader of the House of Commons, but the attempt to form a new government failed.
Sir John was re-elected for Evesham in 1747. He continued to be involved in politics. He was re-elected again in 1754 and 1761. In 1761, his son was also elected as an MP for Evesham, and they served together.
In 1762, he became the "Father of the House" because he had served in Parliament longer than anyone else. He spoke against the government in 1763 and 1764. He also opposed removing a tax on cider, even though his area produced a lot of cider. As he got older, he attended Parliament less often. He retired from politics in 1768 due to his age.
Death and Legacy
Sir John Rushout passed away on February 2, 1775, at the age of 89. He had one son and two daughters. His son, also named John Rushout, inherited his title and became the next Baronet.
Sources
- Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
- Catalogue Notes for the portrait by Godfrey Kneller
| Parliament of Great Britain (1707–1800) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Thomas Farrington |
Member of Parliament for Malmesbury 1713–1722 With: Joseph Addison to 1719 Fleetwood Dormer 1719 – March 1722 Viscount Hillsborough from March 1722 |
Succeeded by Giles Earle |
| Preceded by John Deacle |
Member of Parliament for Evesham 1722–1768 With: John Rudge to 1734 William Taylor 1734–1741 Edward Rudge 1741–1754 John Porter 1754–1756 Edward Rudge 1756–1761 John Rushout from 1761 |
Succeeded by George Durant |
| Preceded by Phillips Gybbon |
Father of the House 1762–1768 |
Succeeded by William Aislabie |
| Baronetage of England | ||
| Preceded by James Rushout |
'Baronet (of Milnst)' 1711–1775 |
Succeeded by John Rushout |
