Thomas Wharton (died 1684) facts for kids
by
Anthony van Dyck (1639)
Sir Thomas Wharton was an important English politician who lived from about 1615 to 1684. He was a member of the House of Commons, which is like a part of the government that helps make laws. He served there in 1659 and again in 1660.
Early Life and Education
Thomas Wharton was the son of Sir Thomas Wharton and Lady Philadelphia Carey. His father passed away when Thomas was young, in 1622.
He went to Eton College, a famous school, from 1624 to 1625. Later, when he was 11 years old, he started studying at Exeter College, Oxford in 1626.
In the same year, he received a special honor. He was made a Knight of the Bath. This was a title given by the King to important people.
Between 1629 and 1632, Thomas traveled in France. This was a common way for young noblemen to learn about the world. In 1638, he joined Lincoln's Inn, which is a place where people study to become lawyers.
A Career in Politics
Sir Thomas Wharton became a Member of Parliament, often called an MP, in 1659. An MP is someone chosen to represent an area in the House of Commons. He represented the area of Westmorland.
He was elected during a time known as the Third Protectorate Parliament. This was a period when England was not ruled by a king, but by a "Lord Protector."
He was chosen again as an MP for Westmorland in 1660. This time, it was for the Convention Parliament. This Parliament was very important because it helped bring the King back to power in England.
Later in his life, from 1681 to 1684, Sir Thomas Wharton had another important job. He was a Warden of the Mint. This meant he helped manage the place where coins were made for the country. He shared this role with his son, Philip.
Family Life
Sir Thomas Wharton was married twice and had several children. His first marriage was in 1645 to his cousin, Lady Mary Carey. They had a son named Philip and three daughters. Lady Mary passed away in 1672.
In 1677, Sir Thomas married again. His second wife was Jane Robinson. They had two daughters together.
His older brother, Philip, inherited a special family title called the barony from their grandfather.
