Richard Pennant, 1st Baron Penrhyn

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Richard Pennant, 1st Baron Penrhyn (173721 January 1808) was a slave owner, anti-abolitionist Member of Parliament (MP) and Irish peer. He was MP for Petersfield from 1761-1767, then becoming one of Liverpool's members from 1767-1780, and again from 1784 until 1790 when he offered his seat to Sir Banastre Tarleton who continued his anti-abolitionist activities. He was prominent in the development of the Welsh slate industry. He was created 1st Baron Penrhyn of Penrhyn in the county of Lough in 1783, however he was not disqualified from standing for elections to the Westminster House of Commons after this as his peerage was Irish.

Pennant owned vast properties in Caernarvonshire and Jamaica, as well as hundreds of his own labourers. He inherited from his wife, Ann Susannah Pennant nee Warburton; the daughter of General Hugh Warburton. His entire estate was inherited by his cousin, George Hay Dawkins (1763-1840). Dawkins' daughter Juliana and her husband were named as co-heirs of the estate on the condition that they took the surname Pennant (which they duly accepted). Dawkins' son-in-law, Edward Gordon Douglas, was later created Baron Penrhyn.

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Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by
Sir John Philipps, Bt
William Gerard Hamilton
Member of Parliament for Petersfield
with John Jolliffe

1761–1767
Succeeded by
John Jolliffe
Richard Croftes
Preceded by
Ellis Cunliffe
William Meredith
Member of Parliament for Liverpool
with Bamber Gascoyne

1767–1780
Succeeded by
Bamber Gascoyne
Henry Rawlinson
Preceded by
Bamber Gascoyne
Henry Rawlinson
Member of Parliament for Liverpool
with Bamber Gascoyne

1784–1790
Succeeded by
Bamber Gascoyne
Sir Banastre Tarleton
Peerage of Ireland
New creation Baron Penrhyn
1783–1808
Extinct
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