George Speke

George Speke (circa 1686 – 2 January 1753) was a British landowner and politician associated with White Lackington and Dillington in Somerset. He was the son of John Speke, a Member of Parliament and a landowner in Somerset, and Elizabeth Pelham, daughter of Robert Pelham of Compton Valence, Dorset.

Speke was involved in British politics during the early 18th century. He unsuccessfully contested the Somerset seat in the 1715 general election. In the 1722 general election, he was elected as Member of Parliament (MP) for Milborne Port, returning unopposed. He was subsequently elected unopposed as MP for Taunton in the 1727 general election.

In the 1734 general election, Speke stood at Wells. Although he was defeated in the initial poll, he was seated on petition on 25 March 1735. During his time in Parliament, he adhered consistently to the Administration's policies and participated in debates concerning the army and national debt. He was returned unopposed for Wells in the 1741 general election and continued to support the Administration. However, he was defeated at Wells in the 1747 election, ending his parliamentary career.

Speke married twice after the death of his first wife, Alicia Brooking. In February 1732, he married Jane Hockmore, the widowed daughter of William Hockmore of Combe-in-Teignhead, Devon. Jane Hockmore's previous husbands included Palmer of Sharpham Park, Somerset, and William Pitt of Cricket Malherbie, Somerset. In July 1737, Speke married Anne Lady Drake, widow of Sir William Drake, 6th Baronet, of Ashe, Devon. Anne was the daughter of William Peere Williams of Grey Friars, Chichester, Sussex.

George Speke died on 2 January 1753. He was survived by two daughters, though he was predeceased by a son and another daughter. His daughter with his first wife, Alicia, named Mary, inherited £10,000. His daughter with his third wife, Anne, named Anne, inherited the remainder of his estate, and she later married Lord North.