John Yorke (1728–1801) Explained

John Yorke
Birth Date:1728
Death Date:1801
Parents:Philip Yorke, Margaret Cocks
Alma Mater:Corpus Christi College
Spouse:Elizabeth Lygon
Children:Jemima Yorke Carew
Office:Member of the House of Commons for Higham Ferrers
Termend:1768
Termstart:1753
Predecessor:John Hill
Successor:Frederick Montagu
Office1:Member of the House of Commons for Reigate
Predecessor1:Charles Yorke
Successor1:Edward Leeds
Termend1:1784
Termstart1:1768

John Yorke (1728–1801) was an English barrister and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1753 to 1784.

Life

Yorke was the fourth son of Philip Yorke, 1st Earl of Hardwicke and his wife Margaret Cocks. Educated at Newcome's School, he matriculated at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge in 1746, graduating M.A. in 1749. Admitted to Lincoln's Inn in 1746, he was called to the bar in 1754.[1]

Yorke held a number of legal sinecures, secured for him by his father as Lord Chancellor.[1] In 1753 he was offered the parliamentary seat of, by Lord Rockingham, against his father's plans, and took it up. In practice he neglected the House of Commons, is not known to have spoken there, and lived much with his parents at Wimpole. He transferred in 1768 to the seat, which his brother Charles had given up, and retired as Member of Parliament in 1784.[2]

Yorke owned The Cedars, a prominent house in Sunninghill, Berkshire. He sold the house to the antiquary George Ellis.[3]

Family

Yorke married Elizabeth Lygon (b. 1742, d. 1766), the only daughter of Reginald Lygon of Madresfield. They had one daughter, Jemima Yorke (b. 1763, d. 16 Jul 1804), she married Reginald Pole Carew.[1] [4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Yorke, Hon. John (1728–1801), of Sonning, Berks., History of Parliament Online. 12 September 2015.
  2. Web site: Yorke, Hon. John (1728–1801), of Sonning, Berks., History of Parliament Online. 12 September 2015.
  3. Web site: Victoria County History - Berkshire A History of the County of Berkshire: Volume 3 Parishes: Sunninghill. British History Online. Victoria County History. 1923. 4 February 2021.
  4. Web site: Person Page. 2021-12-04. thepeerage.com.