Sir Edward Seymour, 4th Baronet
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Sir Edward Seymour, 4th Baronet (1633 – 17 February 1708) was a Royalist and Tory politician.
[edit] Life
Born at Berry Pomeroy Castle of a family greatly influential in the Western counties, he was a descendant of Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, in the senior line. (Because of the adultery of the Duke's first wife, the Dukedom had been entailed with preference to his sons by his second marriage.) A skilled debater and politician, he was twice Speaker of the House during the Cavalier Parliament, the first non-lawyer to be chosen for that position for a considerable time.
He was one of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty from 1673 until 1679, when he was made a Privy Counsellor. He also held office as Treasurer of the Navy from 1673 until 1681.
Though able, Seymour's character was marred by his haughty pride in his ancestry (much like his cousin, the 6th Duke of Somerset) and by venality. However, his influence was much courted, and he led a powerful faction of Western members in Parliament. An opponent of the Exclusion Bill and a quintessential country gentleman, his Tory credentials were impeccable.
From the security of this position, Seymour moved that the Loyal Parliament investigate the irregularities surrounding the election of its members before it granted any revenues to James II, but as no other member dared to second it, it brought about no immediate consequence. He continued to oppose the arbitrary measures of James throughout his reign.
During the Glorious Revolution, he was one of the first Tories to declare for the Prince of Orange. The remarks that supposedly passed between the two on the first meeting are indicative of his pride of birth: "I think, Sir Edward," said the Prince, "that you are of the family of the Duke of Somerset." "Pardon me, your highness," replied Seymour, "the Duke of Somerset is of my family." However, he adhered to the Tory party, acting as a sort of whip or manager, and remained a vigorous rhetorical opponent of the Whig. He particularly attacked Lord Somers, the Chancellor, and managed the several attempts made to remove him from office. In 1699, the death of his third son, Popham Seymour-Conway, from the effects of a wound incurred in a duel with Captain George Kirk, prompted him to make an attack upon the standing army.
He seems to have suffered from diabetes in later life, an exchange of wit between Seymour and his physician, Dr. Ratcliffe, being recorded in Joe Miller's Jests. He died at Bradley House, Maiden Bradley.
[edit] Family
In September 1661, he married Margaret Wale (d. bef. 1674), by whom he had two children:
- Sir Edward Seymour, 5th Baronet (1663–1741)
- Lt. Gen. William Seymour (1664–1728)
In 1674, he married Laetitia Popham (d. 1714), by whom he had seven children:
- Col. Popham Seymour-Conway (1675 – June 18, 1699)
- Francis Seymour-Conway, 1st Baron Conway (1679–1732)
- Charles Seymour of Staston
- Anne Seymour (d. May 10, 1752), married William Berkeley-Portman
- Henry Seymour
- Alexander Seymour (d. April 3, 1731)
- John Seymour, died young
| Parliament of England | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir George Grobham Howe, Bt Sir Thomas Thynne |
Member for Hindon with Sir George Grobham Howe, Bt 1660–1677 Robert Hyde 1677–1679 1661–1679 |
Succeeded by Richard Howe Thomas Lambert |
| Preceded by Sir John Rolle Sir Coplestone Bampfylde, Bt |
Member for Devon with Sir William Courtenay, Bt 1679 |
Succeeded by Sir William Courtenay, Bt Samuel Rolle |
| Preceded by Sir Edward Seymour, Bt John Kelland |
Member for Totnes with Sir Edward Seymour, Bt 1679–1681 1679–1681 |
Succeeded by John Kelland Charles Kelland |
| Preceded by Sir Thomas Carew Thomas Walker |
Member for Exeter with James Walker 1685–1689 Henry Pollexfen 1689 Christopher Bale 1689–1695 1685–1695 |
Succeeded by Edward Seyward Sir Joseph Tily |
| Preceded by Henry Seymour Portman Thomas Coulson |
Member for Totnes with Edward Yarde 1695–1698 Thomas Coulson 1698–1699 1695–1699 |
Succeeded by Thomas Coulson Francis Gwyn |
| Preceded by Edward Seyward Sir Joseph Tily |
Member for Exeter with Sir Bartholomew Shower 1698–1702 John Snell 1702–1708 1698–1708 |
Succeeded by John Snell John Harris |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Sir Job Charlton |
Speaker of the House 1673–1678 |
Succeeded by Sir Robert Sawyer |
| Preceded by Sir Robert Sawyer |
Speaker of the House 1678–1679 |
Succeeded by Sir William Gregory |
| Preceded by Sir Thomas Osborne |
Treasurer of the Navy 1673–1681 |
Succeeded by The Viscount Falkland |
| Preceded by The Lord Wharton |
Comptroller of the Household 1702–1704 |
Succeeded by Sir Thomas Mansell, Bt |
| Baronetage of England | ||
| Preceded by Edward Seymour |
Baronet (of Berry Pomeroy) 1688–1708 |
Succeeded by Edward Seymour |
