Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, 6th Baronet

Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, the 6th Baronet, was born on 22 May 1820 and died on 9 May 1885. He was a Welsh politician affiliated with the Conservative Party and served in the House of Commons from 1841 until his death in 1885.

He was born at the family's property in London, as the eldest son of Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, the 5th Baronet, and Lady Henrietta Antonia Clive. Lady Henrietta was the eldest daughter of Edward Clive, the 1st Earl of Powis. His family held notable estates, including Powis Castle in Wales, which was inherited by his brother-in-law, Edward Herbert, the 2nd Earl of Powis.

Williams-Wynn was educated at Westminster School and attended Christ Church, Oxford. He also studied at Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he graduated with a Master of Arts degree in 1842. In 1839, he became a cornet in the 1st Life Guards, and by 1842, he held the rank of lieutenant.

He succeeded his father as the 6th Baronet on 6 January 1840. That same year, he was elected Member of Parliament for Denbighshire, a seat held by his family for generations—by his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, all named Watkin Williams-Wynn. He maintained this parliamentary seat continuously until his death in 1885.

Williams-Wynn held military officer positions in addition to his parliamentary duties. He served as lieutenant colonel of the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry from 1844 to 1877, and from 1862 until his death, he was lieutenant colonel of the 1st Denbighshire Rifle Volunteers. In 1881, he served as Aide-de-Camp to Queen Victoria.

He was involved in activities related to horse hunting, becoming master of the hunt at age 23, and hunted four days a week. Additionally, he was a director of the Great Western Railway. In 1845, he served as treasurer of the Salop Infirmary in Shrewsbury.

Following the fire that nearly destroyed Wynnstay estate in 1858, Williams-Wynn commissioned the rebuilding of the estate, which took place between 1859 and 1865 under the design of architect Benjamin Ferrey.

He married his cousin, Marie Emily Williams-Wynn, the youngest daughter of Sir Henry Watkin Williams-Wynn, KCB, on 28 April 1852. They had two daughters: Marie Nesta Williams Wynn (born 23 October 1868, died 26 January 1883), who is commemorated with a stained glass window at Ruabon parish church, and Louisa Alexandra Williams Wynn (1864–1911). Louisa was the heiress of the Wynnstay estate and married her cousin, Herbert Lloyd Watkin Williams-Wynn (1860–1944), who became the 7th Baronet after Sir Watkin's death in 1885.