Thomas Anson (politician, died 1773) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Anson
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Thomas Anson.
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| Member of the Great Britain Parliament for Lichfield |
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| In office 1747–1770 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1695 |
| Died | 30 March 1773 |
| Nationality | British |
| Relations |
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| Profession | Traveller, architect |
Thomas Anson (born around 1695, died March 30, 1773) was an important British figure. He was a Member of Parliament, a world traveler, and an architect who designed buildings. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), which means he was recognized for his contributions to science.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Thomas Anson was born into the Anson family. His father was William Anson, and his mother was Isabella Carrier. Their family home was Shugborough Hall in Staffordshire, England.
Thomas had a younger brother named George Anson, 1st Baron Anson, who became a famous admiral. Their cousin was George Parker, 2nd Earl of Macclesfield.
These three young men were taught math and navigation by William Jones. Jones was a friend of the famous scientist Isaac Newton. Later, in 1730, William Jones suggested that Thomas Anson become a member of the Royal Society.
Thomas went to St John's College, Oxford, for his university studies. After that, he studied law at a place called the Inner Temple.
Travels and Clubs
When his father passed away, Thomas Anson decided not to continue with law. Instead, he started traveling a lot around Europe. This was a popular thing for wealthy young men to do back then.
In 1732, Thomas and his friend, the Earl of Sandwich, started a social club. It was called the Society of the Dilettanti. This club had a serious goal: to encourage the study of ancient Greek buildings and art.
In 1740, Thomas briefly joined his brother George on a ship called The Centurion. His brother and the crew were starting a journey to sail all the way around the world. However, Thomas left the ship to travel to Egypt.
His travels to Egypt allowed him to join other social groups. These included the Egyptian Society and the Divan Society.
Political Career
Thomas Anson became a member of the House of Commons in 1747. This is a part of the British Parliament, where laws are made.
He represented the area of Lichfield. He held this position as a Member of Parliament until 1770.
Missions and Gifts
In 1748, Thomas Anson went to Versailles in France. He carried secret messages for important French figures like the Duc de Choiseul and Madame de Pompadour.
While in Paris, he also bought crayons for his friend, the Duchess of Bedford. His sister-in-law, Lady Anson, sent him a long list of gifts she wanted him to bring back.
Shugborough Hall and Architecture
In 1762, Thomas Anson inherited a huge amount of money. This fortune came from his brother, the admiral, who had collected Spanish treasure. This money allowed Thomas to spend even more on his love for architecture at Shugborough Hall.
Thomas Anson and another member of the Society of the Dilettanti worked together. They rebuilt Shugborough Hall in a style called Greek Revival. This style was becoming very popular in England because of their efforts.
Anson filled Shugborough Hall with beautiful things. He collected paintings, many books, and special art objects. He also had artists paint amazing pictures on the ceilings.
The park around the house was also filled with interesting structures. These included temples and decorative buildings called "follies." Some famous ones are the mysterious Shepherd's Monument, the Pagoda, the Pigeon House, and the Tower of the Winds.
Some people think the park is like a story about his brother's trip around the world. Others believe it shows Thomas Anson's interest in different cultures and ideas.
Later Life and Legacy
Thomas Anson never married. He passed away in March 1773.
His family properties, including Shugborough Hall, went to his nephew, George Adams. George Adams then changed his last name to Anson. He was an ancestor of the Earls of Lichfield.
