Sir William ffolkes, 2nd Baronet facts for kids

Sir William John Henry Browne ffolkes, who was the 2nd Baronet, was an important English politician. He was born on August 30, 1786, and passed away on March 24, 1860. He was a member of the Whig political party and served in the British Parliament from 1830 to 1837. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a group for top scientists.

Who Was Sir William ffolkes?

Sir William John Henry Browne ffolkes was a notable figure in 19th-century England. He inherited the title of Baronet from his father. A Baronet is a special title that is passed down through families, similar to a knight but hereditary. He was also a respected member of the Royal Society, an old and famous group for scientists.

Early Life and Education

Sir William ffolkes was the son of Sir Martin ffolkes, who was the 1st Baronet. He went to Harrow School, a well-known school in England. After that, he studied at Jesus College, Cambridge, starting in 1805. He earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), in 1810. Later, he received his Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in 1813. When his father died on December 11, 1821, William became the 2nd Baronet.

A Career in Politics

Sir William ffolkes was very active in public service. In 1828 and 1829, he was the High Sheriff of Norfolk. This was an important role, like being the chief law enforcement officer for the county.

In 1830, he was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Norfolk. An MP is a person elected to represent their area in the House of Commons, which is part of the British Parliament. He held this seat until 1832.

The Reform Act 1832 changed how parliamentary seats were divided. After this, he was elected MP for Norfolk West. He continued to serve in Parliament until 1837.

Besides being an MP, Sir William had other important jobs. He was a Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for Norfolk. A J.P. is a volunteer who helps with local law and order. He was also a Deputy Lieutenant for Norfolk. This role involves helping the Lord-Lieutenant, who represents the King or Queen in the county. He also chaired the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, which were local courts.

Family and Later Life

Sir William ffolkes married Charlotte Philippa Browne on April 21, 1818. Charlotte was the daughter of Dominick Geoffrey Browne. Her brother was Dominick, who later became the first Lord Oranmore.

Sadly, Sir William's son, Martin, died after being struck by lightning. Because of this, when Sir William passed away at the age of 73, his grandson, also named William, inherited the Baronetcy.