William Stuart

Sir William Stuart (31 October 1798 – 7 July 1874) was a British politician affiliated with the Tory party. He was the son of the Most Reverend William Stuart, who served as the Archbishop of Armagh, and he belonged to a family with notable political and aristocratic connections. His paternal grandfather was John Stuart, the 3rd Earl of Bute, who served as Prime Minister of Great Britain.

William Stuart was born in 1798 and pursued higher education at St John's College, Cambridge. His political career included serving as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Armagh City from 1820 to 1826. He later represented Bedfordshire as an MP, first from 1830 to 1831 and then again from 1832 to 1835.

In addition to his parliamentary roles, Stuart held the position of Deputy Lieutenant. He resided at Tempsford Hall in Bedfordshire and at Aldenham Abbey in Hertfordshire. His involvement in Freemasonry included serving as Grand Master of the Masonic Knights Templar from 1861 until 1872.

Stuart was married twice. His first marriage was to Henrietta Mariah Sarah Pole, daughter of Admiral Sir Charles Pole. The couple had four children:

- William Stuart (7 March 1825 – 21 December 1893)

- Mary Pole Stuart (1823 – 25 January 1852), who married Jonathan Rashleigh, her first husband, and had two sons and three daughters

- Louisa Pole Stuart (died 7 January 1858), who married Reverend Oliver Matthew Ridley, grandson of Sir Matthew White Ridley, 2nd Baronet; they had three sons and two daughters

- Charles Pole Stuart (7 May 1826 – 26 August 1896), who married Anne Smyth, a descendant of the Ven. James Smyth and Bishop Nathaniel Alexander; they had three sons and two daughters

Following the death of Henrietta in 1853, Stuart married Georgiana Walker in 1854. She was the daughter of General Frederick Nathaniel Walker. The second marriage did not produce any children.

William Stuart died in July 1874 at the age of 75.