William Henry Lyttelton, 1st Baron Lyttelton (24 December 1724 – 14 September 1808) was the youngest son of Sir Thomas Lyttelton, 4th Baronet.
As the youngest son, he did not expect to inherit the family estates and served in various government appointments. He became governor of colonial South Carolina in 1755, Governor of Jamaica in 1760, and envoy-extraordinary to Portugal in 1766. He was raised to the Irish peerage in 1776 as Baron Westcote.
As a result of the death without issue of his nephew Thomas Lyttelton, 2nd Baron Lyttelton in 1779, he inherited the family baronetcy and family estates in Frankley, Halesowen, and Hagley. However, the estates in Upper Arley passed to the late lord's sister Lucy, wife of Arthur Annesley, 1st Earl of Mountnorris.
The title Baron Lyttelton was revived for Baron Westcote in 1794. He married twice. His first wife was Martha, daughter and coheir of James Macartney of Longford, nephew and coheir of Ambrose Aungier, 2nd Earl of Longford. They had three children including George Fulke, his successor. His second wife was Caroline Bristow, by whom he had two children including William Henry Lyttelton, 3rd Baron Lyttelton.
Government offices | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by James Glen |
Colonial Governor of South Carolina 1756–1760 |
Succeeded by Thomas Pownall |
Preceded by Henry Moore (acting) |
Governor of Jamaica 1762–1766 |
Succeeded by Roger Hope Elletson |
Diplomatic posts | ||
Preceded by Unknown |
Envoy to Portugal 1766–1770 |
Succeeded by Hon. Robert Walpole |
Parliament of Great Britain | ||
Preceded by William Bowles |
Member of Parliament for Bewdley 1748–1755 |
Succeeded by William Finch |
Preceded by Sir Edward Winnington, Bt |
Member of Parliament for Bewdley 1774–1790 |
Succeeded by George Fulke Lyttelton |
Peerage of Great Britain | ||
New creation | Baron Lyttelton 1794–1808 |
Succeeded by George Fulke Lyttelton |
Peerage of Ireland | ||
New creation | Baron Westcote 1776–1808 |
Succeeded by George Fulke Lyttelton |
Baronetage of England | ||
Preceded by Thomas Lyttelton |
Baronet (of Frankley) 1779–1808 |
Succeeded by George Fulke Lyttelton |