Henry Grenville

Henry Grenville was born on 11 September 1717. He was the son of Sir Richard Grenville, who served as a Member of Parliament (MP). Henry had several siblings involved in politics and government. One of his elder brothers was Earl Temple, a government minister. Another brother, Thomas Grenville, also served as an MP, while James Grenville held positions as Lord of Trade and Cofferer of the Household. George Grenville, another brother, became Chancellor of the Exchequer under William Pitt the Elder and served as Prime Minister from 1763 to 1765.

Henry Grenville's political career included serving as MP for Bishop’s Castle from 1759 to 1761. In the 1768 general election, he was elected as an MP for Buckingham, representing the constituency on the slate of his brother George Grenville.

In addition to his parliamentary work, Henry Grenville held diplomatic positions. He was appointed Governor of Barbados in 1746. On 1 May 1761, he was appointed as the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, based in Constantinople. He arrived in Istanbul on 21 February 1762. His tenure as ambassador lasted until he was recalled on 31 May 1765, during the reign of Sultan Mustafa III.

After leaving Turkey, Henry Grenville returned to England on 13 October 1765. He then assumed the position of Commissioner of Customs. Subsequently, he retired to Bath, where he resided until his death. Henry Grenville died on 22 April 1784.

Henry Grenville was married to Margaret Eleanor Banks. Their daughter, Louisa Grenville, married Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl Stanhope, who was known as a statesman and scientist.

References and sources for Henry Grenville's life include "Turkey: Its History and Progress – the journals and correspondence of Sir James Porter," published in London by Hurst and Blackett in 1854, and Alfred C. Wood's "A History of the Levant Company," published in 1935.