Richard Grenville (1678–1727)

Richard Grenville (1678–1727) was a British politician. He was MP for Wendover in Buckinghamshire from 1715 to 1722 and for Buckingham from 1722 to 1727. He was the father, father-in-law and grandfather of various Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom. Among his male-line descendants were the future Earls Temple and Dukes of Buckingham and Chandos.

Biography

Richard was born the son of Richard Grenville and Eleanor Temple. The family's country seat was at Wotton in Buckinghamshire. His wife Hester was the daughter of Sir Richard Temple, 3rd Baronet and sister of Richard Temple, 1st Viscount Cobham. In her widowhood, Hester would come to inherit the titles of her brother and be created 1st Countess Temple in her own right. Resultantly, their eldest son, Richard, would become the second Earl Temple. Richard and Hester were the parents of five sons, every single one of whom served in parliament:

• Richard Grenville-Temple, 2nd Earl Temple
• George Grenville, Prime Minister of the UK (1763–65)
• James Grenville
• Henry Grenville
• Thomas Grenville

A daughter, Hester, was the wife of Pitt the elder, also a Prime Minister of the UK. Two of Richard's grandsons, Pitt the younger and William Grenville, also rose to serve as Prime Minister.

Bibliography

• Johnson, Allen S. A prologue to revolution: the political career of George Grenville (1712–1770). University Press of America, 1997.
• Lawson, Phillip. George Grenvile: A Political Life. University of Manchester Press, 1984.