James Grenville

James Grenville was born on 12 February 1715 at Wotton House in Buckinghamshire. He was a member of the Grenville family, which held considerable influence in British politics. His father was Richard Grenville, a notable politician from Buckinghamshire. James had at least four brothers, including Richard Grenville-Temple, 2nd Earl Temple; George Grenville, who served as Prime Minister; and Thomas Grenville.

He received education at Eton College from 1728 to 1732. Subsequently, he studied law at the Inner Temple, qualifying as a barrister in 1738. That same year, he inherited Butleigh Court in Somerset from his aunt, Catherine Riggs (née Symcox).

James Grenville was first elected to Parliament in 1741 as a representative aligned with Lord Cobham. During his early parliamentary career, he was known as one of Lord Cobham’s Cubs. In 1746, he was appointed to a position on the Board of Trade. Between 1756 and 1761, he served as a junior Lord of the Treasury under William Pitt the Elder. His other official roles included serving again as a Lord of the Treasury from November 1756 to April 1757 and from July 1757 to March 1761, Cofferer of the Household from March to October 1761, and a member of the Privy Council in 1761. From August 1766 to January 1770, he was jointly appointed Vice-Treasurer of Ireland.

Following William Pitt’s resignation in October 1761, James Grenville resigned from his government position and entered opposition. He was involved in managing familial relations, facilitating the reconciliation between his brother George Grenville’s son, Richard Grenville-Temple, 2nd Earl Temple, and their elder brother Richard Grenville-Temple, 2nd Earl Temple, who was an ally of Pitt.

James Grenville married Mary Smyth, the daughter and heiress of James Smyth of South Elkington, Lincolnshire. They had twin sons. In 1783, he was succeeded by his son James Grenville, who was later created Baron Glastonbury and inherited most of his estate. His younger son, General Richard Grenville, also inherited property. Both sons served concurrently as Members of Parliament for Buckingham from 1774 to 1780.

James Grenville died on 14 September 1783 and was buried at the Church of St Leonard in Butleigh.