William Wyndham

Sir William Wyndham, Bart. (1687 - June 17, 1740), English politician, was the only son of Sir Edward Wyndham, Bart., and a grandson of William Wyndham (d. 1683) of Orchard Wyndham, Somerset, who was created a baronet in 1661.

Related Topics:
1687 - June 17 - 1740 - English - Politician - Orchard Wyndham - Somerset

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Educated at Eton and at Christ Church, Oxford, he entered parliament in 1710 and became secretary-at-war in the Tory ministry in 1712 and chancellor of the exchequer in 1713. He was closely associated with Lord Bolingbroke, and he was privy to the attempts made to bring about a Jacobite restoration on the death of Queen Anne; when these failed he was dismissed from office.

Related Topics:
Eton - Christ Church, Oxford - Secretary-at-war - Tory - Chancellor of the exchequer - Lord Bolingbroke - Jacobite - Queen Anne

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In 1715 the failure of a Jacobite movement led to his imprisonment, but he was soon set at liberty. Under George I Wyndham was the leader of the opposition in the House of Commons, fighting for his High Church and Tory principles against Sir Robert Walpole. He was in constant communication with the exiled Bolingbroke, and after 1723 the two were actively associated in abortive plans for the overthrow of Walpole.

Related Topics:
1715 - George I - House of Commons - High Church - Sir Robert Walpole

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He died at Wells on the 17th of June 1740. Wyndham's first wife was Catherine, daughter of Charles Seymour, 6th Duke of Somerset. By her he had two sons, Charles, who became 2nd earl of Egremont in 1750, and Percy, who took the name of O'Brien and was created earl of Thomond in 1756.

Related Topics:
Charles Seymour, 6th Duke of Somerset - 2nd earl of Egremont - Earl of Thomond

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