Thomas Onslow, 2nd Earl of Onslow
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Thomas Onslow, 2nd Earl of Onslow (15 March 1754 – 22 February 1827) was an English nobleman and courtier, styled Viscount Cranley from 1801 to 1814.
He was born at Imber Court, Thames Ditton, Surrey, the eldest son of the then George Onslow. Known as Tom Onslow until 1801, he entered the British House of Commons for Rye in 1775.
On 30 December 1776, he married Arabella Mainwaring-Ellerker (d. 1782), by whom he had four children:
- Arthur George Onslow, 3rd Earl of Onslow (1777–1870)
- Hon. Thomas Cranley Onslow (1778–1861)
- Capt. & Lt-Col. Hon. Mainwaring Edward Onslow (2 October 1779 – 1861)
- Lady Elizabeth Harriet Onslow (d. 18 July 1824)
He subsequently married, on 13 February 1783, Charlotte Duncombe (d. 1819), neé Hale, widow of Thomas Duncombe (d. 1779). They had one daughter:
In 1784, he left Rye and replaced his father's first cousin, Colonel Onslow, as MP for Guildford upon the retirement of the latter. He continued to represent that constituency until 1806, when he was replaced by his second son, Thomas Cranley.
Onslow was an intimate of the Prince of Wales, and was known for his mania for driving four-in-hand. His phaeton, painted black and drawn by "four of the finest black horses in England", was thought by Gronow to have the appearance of an undertaker's carriage.
A supporter of the Foxite Whigs, Onslow was, however, little active in the House of Commons, presenting a petition in 1781 on behalf of a "body of the innholders of England", complaining of the quartering of soldiers upon them. As an associate of the Prince, he was sent to Mrs Fitzherbert to tell her that the Prince had attempted suicide and only she could save his life, and he guarded the door of Fitzherbert's house when she secretly married the prince. However, he later fell out with the Prince, for reasons unknown, voting in favor of Pitt's regency proposal of 1789 and against the abolition of the slave trade in 1796.
Onslow succeeded his father as Earl of Onslow in 1814. He died in 1827 at Clandon Park.
[edit] References
- Barker, G. F. R (2004). "Onslow, George, first earl of Onslow (1731–1814)", in rev. E. A. Smith: Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. Retrieved on 2007-11-23.
- Gentleman's Magazine v.XCVII (Jan.–Jun. 1827) p. 269
| Parliament of Great Britain | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Rose Fuller Middleton Onslow |
Member of Parliament for Rye with Rose Fuller 1775–1777 William Dickinson 1777–1784 1775–1784 |
Succeeded by William Dickinson Charles Wolfran Cornwall |
| Preceded by George Onslow William Norton |
Member of Parliament for Guildford with Chapple Norton 1784–1790, 1796–1801 George Holme Sumner 1790–1796 1784–1801 |
Succeeded by Parliament of the United Kingdom |
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
| Preceded by Parliament of Great Britain |
Member of Parliament for Guildford with Chapple Norton 1801–1806 |
Succeeded by Thomas Cranley Onslow George Holme Sumner |
| Peerage of the United Kingdom | ||
| Preceded by George Onslow |
Earl of Onslow 1814–1827 |
Succeeded by Arthur Onslow |
