Sir Michael Biddulph, 2nd Baronet facts for kids
Sir Michael Biddulph (born around 1652 – died 20 April 1718) was an important English politician. He came from Elmshurst, Staffordshire, and Westcombe, Kent. Sir Michael was a member of the Whig party. He served in the English Parliament and later the British Parliament from 1679 to 1710.
Early Life and Family
Michael Biddulph was the son of Sir Theophilus Biddulph, who was the first Baronet of his family, and his mother was Susanna Highlord. Michael went to school at St Paul's School in London. He also studied at Christ's College, Cambridge, which is a famous university.
On December 31, 1673, Michael Biddulph got married to Henrietta Maria Witley. Her father was Colonel Richard Witley. They were married in Westminster Abbey in London, a very historic church. In April 1683, when his father passed away, Michael became the 2nd Baronet. This meant he inherited his father's special title.
Political Journey
Sir Michael Biddulph wanted to become a Member of Parliament (MP). An MP is someone elected to represent people in the country's government. He first tried to become an MP for Lichfield in 1678, but he didn't win that election.
However, he was successful in the next two elections in 1679. He became the MP for Lichfield again in 1681. He didn't run in the 1685 election, but he supported another candidate. Sir Michael won his seat back in 1689, but he lost it in the 1690 election.
He was elected as MP for Lichfield again in 1695. In February 1696, he signed something called the Association, which was a pledge of loyalty to the King. He also voted on important money matters and for a special legal action against Sir John Fenwick in November 1696.
Around 1697 or 1698, Sir Michael married his second wife, Elizabeth D'Oyly. During his time as an MP for Lichfield, he built and lived in a house called Elmhurst Hall, just north of the city.
Challenges and Later Career
Sir Michael won the election again in 1698. But he lost in the first election of 1701, only to win back his seat in the second election of that year.
Sir Michael faced big financial problems because he had helped a relative, Morgan Whitley, with a loan. Whitley owed a lot of money to the government, and because Sir Michael had promised to pay if Whitley couldn't, Sir Michael became responsible for the debt.
In 1702, Sir Michael was even put in prison in Stafford because of these debts. Even though he was released, he had to be careful not to be arrested again. He continued to vote with the Whig party in Parliament. He was briefly in prison again later that year.
His family's lands, which he could only use during his lifetime, were taken over by the government to help pay the debt. Being in prison also affected his health. Eventually, a special law was passed to help him deal with the debt. Money from his son's marriage helped to cover what was owed.
Sir Michael did not run in the 1705 election. However, he was elected again as a Whig MP in 1708. He was not very active in Parliament during this time. He did not run for election in 1710.
Death and Family
Sir Michael Biddulph passed away on April 20, 1718. He was buried in Greenwich in Kent on May 1, 1718.
He had two daughters and one son, named Theophilus, with his first wife. With his second wife, he had three more daughters. His son, Theophilus Biddulph, became the 3rd Baronet after him.
