Sir Thomas Littleton, 3rd Baronet facts for kids
Sir Thomas Littleton, 3rd Baronet, also known as Thomas de Littleton, was an important English politician and lawyer. He was born on April 3, 1647, and passed away on December 31, 1709, at the age of 62. He lived in places like North Ockendon, Essex, and Stoke St. Milborough, Shropshire.
Sir Thomas was a member of the Whig party, which was a political group in England at the time. He served in the English and later the British House of Commons from 1689 to 1709. The House of Commons is a key part of the country's Parliament, where laws are made. He held two very important jobs: he was the Speaker of the House of Commons from 1698 to 1700, and he was the Treasurer of the Navy until he died.
Early Life and Family
Thomas Littleton was the son of Sir Thomas Littleton, 2nd Baronet, who passed away in 1681. His mother was Anne Littleton, who was also his father's cousin. The Littleton family had a long history, and Thomas was related to a famous 15th-century legal expert named Thomas de Littleton.
Young Thomas started his studies at St Edmund Hall, Oxford University, in 1665. The next year, in 1666, he joined the Inner Temple, which is one of the places where people train to become lawyers in England. By 1671, he had finished his training and became a lawyer.
When his father died on April 12, 1681, Thomas inherited the title of Baronet. A Baronet is a special title, like a knight, that can be passed down in a family. On September 6, 1682, he married Anne Baun, who was the daughter of Benjamin Baun. Anne passed away in 1714.
His Political Journey
Sir Thomas Littleton began his career in Parliament when he was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Woodstock in 1689. An MP is someone elected to represent a local area in the House of Commons.
He continued to serve in Parliament and rose through the ranks. From 1698 to 1700, he held the very important position of Speaker of the House of Commons. The Speaker is like the leader or chairperson of the House, making sure debates run smoothly and rules are followed.
In 1699, he was given another significant role: Treasurer of the Navy. This meant he was in charge of managing the money for the country's navy. He kept this job for the rest of his life.
Sir Thomas continued to be elected as an MP for different areas. In 1702, he became the MP for Castle Rising. In 1705, he represented Chichester, and in 1708, he was elected as the MP for Portsmouth. He served in Parliament until his death in 1709.
Legacy and Family End
Sir Thomas Littleton passed away in 1709. He did not have any children, so when he died, his Baronet title ended. However, his property and wealth went to his first cousin, Mrs. Elizabeth Meynell, who was the daughter of his uncle, Edward Littleton.
A famous historian named Thomas Macaulay described Sir Thomas Littleton as a very loyal and helpful member of the Whig party. Macaulay said that Littleton was "one of their ablest, most zealous and most steadfast friends." He also mentioned that Littleton was an "invaluable second" to another important politician named Montague, especially in the House of Commons and at the treasury. This shows that Sir Thomas Littleton was a highly respected and effective politician of his time.
