Sir John Wodehouse, 4th Baronet facts for kids
Sir John Wodehouse, 4th Baronet (born March 23, 1669 – died August 6, 1754), was an important British politician. He was a member of the Tory party and served as a Member of Parliament, which means he helped make laws for the country. A "Baronet" is a special title, like a knight, that can be passed down through a family.
Who Was Sir John Wodehouse?
Sir John Wodehouse came from a very old family in Norfolk, England. He inherited his title, the 4th Baronet, from his grandfather, Sir Philip Wodehouse, in 1681. John was just 12 years old when he became a Baronet. His parents were Thomas Wodehouse and Anne Airmine.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
Sir John Wodehouse was elected to the House of Commons several times. The House of Commons is a big part of the British Parliament, where elected people discuss and create laws.
- He first represented the town of Thetford from 1695 to 1698.
- He was elected for Thetford again from 1701 to 1702.
- He served a third time for Thetford from 1705 to 1708.
- Later, he represented the larger area of Norfolk from 1710 to 1713.
Besides being a Member of Parliament, he also held a legal job called "Recorder" for Thetford. A Recorder was a judge or a legal officer for a town.
His Family and Later Life
Sir John Wodehouse married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth Benson, whom he married in 1700. After she passed away, he married Mary Fermor. She was the daughter of William Fermor, who was a Baron.
Sir John Wodehouse lived a long life and passed away in August 1754, when he was 85 years old. His son from his second marriage, Armine, inherited his title and became the 5th Baronet. Another one of his sons, William, had died before him.
Sir John Wodehouse's family continued to be important in British history. Some of his famous descendants include:
- John Wodehouse, 1st Earl of Kimberley, who became a very important politician called the Foreign Secretary.
- The well-known author P. G. Wodehouse, who wrote many popular books.
