Arthur Onslow

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Arthur Onslow (October 1, 1691, Chelsea – February 17, 1768) was an English politician. He was the elder son of Foot Onslow (d. 1710).

Educated at Winchester School and at Wadham College, Oxford, he became a barrister, rising to Recorder of Guildford, and in 1720 entered Parliament as a member for the borough of Guildford. Seven years later he became one of the members for Surrey with the highest majority ever recorded, and he retained this seat until 1761. In 1728 he was elected Speaker of the House of Commons, being the third member of his family to hold this office; he was also chancellor to George II's queen, Caroline, and from 1734 to 1742 he was Treasurer of the Navy.

He retired from the position of Speaker and from parliament in 1761, whereupon he was granted the Freedom of the City of London. As Speaker, Onslow was a conspicuous success, displaying knowledge, tact and firmness in his office; in his leisure hours he was a collector of books. He was exceptional for his reputation for impartiality and integrity, at a time when corruption among politicians was rife. He was also the longest-serving speaker in the history of Westminster having held the position for thirty-three years. He was fantastically well-off at his retirement, having been granted an annuity of £3,000 by the King for the lives of himself and his son George.

Speaker Onslow's nephew, George Onslow (1731-1792), a son of his brother Richard, was a lieutenant-colonel and member of parliament for Guildford from 1760 to 1784. He had a younger brother Richard (1741-1817), who entered the navy and was made an admiral in 1799.

One of his descendants, Cranley Onslow, was a Member of Parliament in the late 20th Century.

[edit] Arthur Onslow in Thames Ditton

Onslow gained much by his marriage to Ann, niece of Henry Bridges. His father-in-law died in the mid-20s, and Onslow came into the entire estate, which had increased through the addition of the holding of Ann's sister, who had recently died. Onslow made Imber Court in Thames Ditton his principal seat. Early in his career, Onslow became High Steward of Kingston upon Thames. When he died in 1768 at the age of 76, he was buried at St Nicholas Church, Thames Ditton. But subsequently his body, and that of his wife Ann, were moved to the Onslow burial site at Merrow Church, near Clandon.

Preceded by: Sir Spencer Compton	Speaker of the House of Commons 1728–1761	Succeeded by: Sir John Cust
Preceded by: The Viscount Torrington	Treasurer of the Navy 1734–1742	Succeeded by: Thomas Clutterbuck