Family and Education

b. ?1686, s. of Robert Butler of London by his w. Martha. educ. Magdalen, Oxf. 13 Oct. 1702, aged 16. m. 9 July 1723, Mary, da. of Anthony Tate of Burleigh Park, 1da.1

Offices Held

Fellow of Magdalen 1710-22, president 1722-d.; vice-chancellor of Oxford Univ. 1728-32.

Biography

When Butler, an extreme Tory, was installed president of Magdalen in August 1722, an Oxford Jacobite reported that he made a speech ‘in which there was shewed much courage and honesty’,2 i.e. Jacobitism. A year later he married Dr. Sacheverell’s sister-in-law, a lady of large fortune, who brought him Burleigh Park.3 Succeeding William Bromley jun. as Member for the University, he voted against the Government in all recorded divisions. He died 29 Oct. 1745.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Eveline Cruickshanks

Notes

• 1. PCC 290 Seymor.
• 2. Hearne, Colls. (Oxf. Hist. Soc.) vii. 388-9; HMC Portland, vii. 321.
• 3. Hearne, viii. 97.