Sir John Thorold, 9th Baronet facts for kids

Sir John Thorold, 9th Baronet (1734–1815) was a British book collector and a politician. He was a member of the House of Commons, which is a part of the British Parliament, from 1779 to 1796.

Early Life and Family

John Thorold was born on December 18, 1734. His parents were Sir John Thorold, 8th Baronet, and Elizabeth Ayton. He went to Hertford College, Oxford, a university in England, starting in 1752.

In 1771, he married Jane Hayford. When his father passed away in 1775, John became the 9th Baronet. A baronet is a special title that is passed down through families, similar to a knight but inherited. He also inherited Syston Park, his family's estate. From 1778 to 1779, he served as the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, which was an important local government role.

Time in Politics

Sir John Thorold became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Lincolnshire in 1779. An MP is someone elected to represent a specific area in the House of Commons, where laws are made. He was elected without anyone running against him in 1779, 1780, 1784, and 1790.

In 1780, a newspaper called the English Chronicle described him. They said he was a smart person who sometimes spoke in the House of Commons. However, they also noted that he wasn't known for being a very exciting or powerful speaker. In 1796, he decided not to run for election again to avoid a difficult competition.

Collecting Books and Legacy

Sir John Thorold loved collecting books. He built a large library at his home, Syston Park. One of the special books in his collection was a first edition of William Shakespeare's plays. A first edition means it was one of the very first copies ever printed.

He passed away on February 25, 1815. His son, also named John, inherited the baronetcy and continued to add to the family's impressive book collection.

A town in Ontario, Canada, called Thorold, was named after him in 1793. This happened because he was against the war with America and showed interest in the colonies.