 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (July 2020) |
Sir William Molesworth | |
|---|---|
 Portrait by John Watson Gordon, 1854 | |
| First Commissioner of Works | |
| In office 5 January 1853 – 30 January 1855 | |
| Monarch | Victoria |
| Prime Minister | The Earl of Aberdeen |
| Preceded by | Lord John Manners |
| Succeeded by | Sir Benjamin Hall, Bt |
| Secretary of State for the Colonies | |
| In office 21 July 1855 – 22 October 1855 | |
| Monarch | Victoria |
| Prime Minister | The Viscount Palmerston |
| Preceded by | Lord John Russell |
| Succeeded by | Henry Labouchere |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 23 May 1810 London |
| Died | 22 October 1855 (aged 45) |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Radical |
| Alma mater | University of Cambridge |
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Sir William Molesworth, 8th Baronet, PC (23 May 1810 – 22 October 1855) was a Radical British politician, who served in the coalition cabinet of The Earl of Aberdeen from 1853 until his death in 1855 as First Commissioner of Works and then Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Much later, when justifying to the Queen his own new appointments, Gladstone told her: "For instance, even in Ld Aberdeen's Govt, in 52, Sir William Molesworth had been selected, at that time, a very advanced Radical, but who was perfectly harmless, & took little, or no part... He said these people generally became very moderate, when they were in office", which she admitted had been the case.[2]
- ^ Debrett's Peerage, 1968, p. 709
- ^ Queen Victoria's Journals, Wednesday 28 April 1880, Windsor Castle, from Princess Beatrice's copies, Volume 72 (1 January 1880 – 18 August 1880), p. 167, online from the Bodleian Library