Richard Bootle-Wilbraham

Richard Bootle-Wilbraham was born on 27 October 1801 and died on 5 May 1844. He was a member of the British Conservative Party and served as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons from 1835 until his death in 1844.

He was the eldest son of Edward Bootle-Wilbraham, 1st Baron Skelmersdale, and his wife, Mary Elizabeth Taylor. His education included attendance at Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford. The family residence was Blythe Hall, located in Lathom, Lancashire, on the Lathom estate owned by his family.

In 1826, Bootle-Wilbraham was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire. His political career began with his election as MP for South Lancashire in the 1835 general election. He was re-elected in 1837 and was returned without contest in 1841. He served as MP for the constituency until his death.

Bootle-Wilbraham died from influenza at the age of 42. He was married to Jessy Brooke, who was born in 1812 and died in 1892. Jessy was the daughter of Sir Richard Brooke, 6th Baronet Brooke of Norton. The marriage produced five children: one son and four daughters. His son, Edward Bootle-Wilbraham, became a Conservative politician and was later created the 1st Earl of Lathom. His daughters were Adela Mary (born 1834), Jessy Caroline (born 1836), Edith (born 1840), and Rose (born 1842).

Sources for this information include "The Complete Peerage," edited by G. E. Cokayne and George H. White, published in 1953, as well as records from the Hansard parliamentary debates, which document contributions made by Richard Bootle-Wilbraham during his time in Parliament.