Richard Grenville

Sir Richard Grenville (1678 – 17 February 1727) was a British politician who served in the House of Commons from 1715 until his death in 1727. He belonged to the Grenville family, which exerted significant influence during the eighteenth century. Several of his descendants later held positions as Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom.

Early Life:

He was the son of Sir Richard Grenville of Wotton, Buckinghamshire, and his wife Eleanor Temple. Eleanor was the daughter of Sir Peter Temple of Stantonbury, Buckinghamshire, and Eleanor Tyrell. Richard Grenville married Hester Temple, the daughter of Sir Richard Temple, 3rd Baronet, by a license issued on 25 November 1710. Hester's brother was Richard Temple, 1st Viscount Cobham, a peer whose title was entailed upon her and her sons. This marriage established a close familial connection between the Grenville and Temple families. After Sir Richard Grenville’s death, his sons became associated with the Cobham's Cubs political faction, led by his brother-in-law.

Political Career:

In the 1715 general election, Grenville was proposed as a Whig candidate for Buckinghamshire. However, through an agreement with Richard Hampden, he was elected as Member of Parliament for Wendover. In the 1722 general election, he was returned unopposed as MP for Buckingham, representing the interest of Lord Cobham.

Death and Legacy:

Sir Richard Grenville died on 17 February 1727, during the last year of that parliamentary session. Following his death, his children were cared for by his brother-in-law, Lord Cobham. He was the father, father-in-law, and grandfather of multiple Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom. His male-line descendants included the future Earls Temple and Dukes of Buckingham and Chandos. His wife, Hester, inherited her brother's titles in 1749, becoming the 1st Countess Temple in her own right.

Family:

Richard Grenville and Hester Temple had six sons and one daughter. Five of his sons served as Members of Parliament:

- Richard Grenville-Temple, 2nd Earl Temple

- George Grenville, who served as Prime Minister from 1763 to 1765

- James Grenville

- Henry Grenville

- Thomas Grenville, who was both an MP and a sailor

Their daughter, Hester, was married to William Pitt the Elder, who also served as a Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Among Sir Richard Grenville's grandsons, Pitt the Younger and William Grenville also held the office of Prime Minister.

References:

The biography draws from sources including Allen S. Johnson’s "A prologue to revolution: the political career of George Grenville (1712–1770)" (1997) and Phillip Lawson’s "George Grenvile: A Political Life" (1984).