Thomas Pelham, 1st Baron Pelham

The Lord Pelham
Member of the English Parliament
for East Grinstead
In office
1678–1679
Member of the English Parliament
for Lewes
In office
1679–1702
Member of the English Parliament
for Sussex
In office
1702–1705
Personal details
Bornc. 1653[1]
Died23 February 1712
Spouse(s)Elizabeth Jones
(m. 1679, died 1681)
Grace Holles
(m. 1686, died 1700)
ChildrenElizabeth Townshend, Viscountess Townshend
Lucy Pelham
Grace Naylor
Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne
Henry Pelham
Frances Wandesford, Viscountess Castlecomer
Gertrude Polhill
Lucy Clinton, Countess of Lincoln
Margaret, Lady Shelley
Parents

Thomas Pelham, 1st Baron Pelham of Laughton Bt (c. 1653 – 23 February 1712) was a moderate English Whig politician and Member of Parliament for several constituencies. He is best remembered as the father of two British prime ministers (Henry Pelham and the Duke of Newcastle) who, between them, served for 18 years as first minister.

Pelham was born in Laughton, Sussex, the son of Sir John Pelham, 3rd Baronet and his wife Lucy Sidney (daughter of Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester). Pelham was educated at Tonbridge School and Christ Church, Oxford.

He sat for East Grinstead from October 1678 until August 1679. In October 1679 he was returned for Lewes, serving until 1702; he subsequently chose to sit for Sussex, a seat he held until 1705.[1]

  1. ^ a b "PELHAM, Thomas (c.1653-1712), of Halland, Laughton, Suss". History of Parliament. Retrieved 22 November 2021.