William Rashleigh (MP for Fowey) facts for kids
William Rashleigh (born January 11, 1777 – died May 14, 1855) was an important English politician and a large landowner from Cornwall. He was known for his role in local government and for being a Member of Parliament. He also had a keen interest in nature.
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Early Life and Family History
William Rashleigh was born into a well-known family. His father was Reverend Jonathan Rashleigh. William's uncle, Philip Rashleigh, owned a huge estate called Menabilly. This estate was very important to the family.
In 1811, William inherited the large Menabilly estate from his uncle Philip. This inheritance gave him a lot of influence in the local area.
William Rashleigh's Political Career
William Rashleigh was involved in politics from a young age.
Serving as Mayor
He served as the Mayor of Lostwithiel twice. He was Mayor in 1802 and again in 1808. A mayor is the leader of a town or city. They help make decisions for the community.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
When William inherited the Menabilly estate, he also gained control over a special type of voting area called a "pocket borough." This meant the Rashleigh family had a lot of power in choosing who would represent the town of Fowey in Parliament.
In the 1812 general election, William Rashleigh used this power to become a Member of Parliament (MP) for Fowey himself. An MP is someone elected to represent their area in the House of Commons. This is where laws are made for the country.
William sold control of the borough in 1817. He then decided to retire from the House of Commons in 1818.
Sheriff of Cornwall
Later, from 1820 to 1821, William Rashleigh served as the Sheriff of Cornwall. A sheriff was a high-ranking official responsible for law and order in a county.
Interests in Natural History
Beyond politics, William Rashleigh was very interested in natural history. This means he studied plants, animals, and the natural world.
He became a Fellow of the Linnean Society. This is a group for people who study natural history. In 1814, he was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very old and respected group for scientists.
Later Life and Legacy
William Rashleigh passed away in 1855. He died at Kilmarth, which was a place near his family home of Menabilly.
He was married twice and had several children. His son, also named William Rashleigh, inherited the Menabilly estate after him.
