William Ward (1677–1720) facts for kids
William Ward (1677–1720) was an important British politician. He served as a member of the House of Commons, which is a main part of the British Parliament, between 1710 and 1720.
Early Life and Family
William Ward was born in 1677. He was the oldest son of William Ward and Anne Parkes. His family lived in a place called Willingsworth in Sedgley.
When he was about 15 years old, in 1692, William Ward traveled abroad. He also studied at Padua University in 1694. On May 25, 1700, he married Mary Grey. Her father was John Grey from Enville.
Political Career
William Ward became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Staffordshire. An MP is someone elected to represent an area in the House of Commons.
He was first elected without anyone running against him in the 1710 general election. This means he was the only person who wanted the job, so he got it automatically. He did not run for election in 1713.
However, he was elected again in the 1715 general election, again without anyone opposing him. He continued to serve as an MP until he passed away.
Later Life and Legacy
William Ward died on October 25, 1720. He and his wife, Mary, had three sons and four daughters.
His son, John Ward, became a very important person later on. In 1740, he inherited the title of Baron Ward from a distant cousin. He also took over the family lands and estates in Dudley. In 1763, he was given an even higher title, becoming Viscount Dudley and Ward.
