Family and Education

b. c.1698, 1st s. of Henry Fane of Bristol by Anne, da. of Thomas Scrope, a Bristol merchant, sis. and coh. (in her issue) of John Scrope; bro. of Thomas Fane, 8th Earl of Westmorland. educ. King’s, Camb. 1715; M. Temple 1714, called 1721. unm. suc. fa. 1726.

Offices Held

Counsel to the board of Trade 1725-46; K.C. 1727; solicitor-gen. to the Queen 1730-7; chairman of committees of supply and ways and means 1739-51; ld. of Trade 1746-55.

Biography

In 1727 Fane was returned for Taunton, where he had inherited leasehold property,1 making his first recorded speech on 24 Feb. 1730 in support of a bill to prevent loans to foreign powers without licence. Throughout his parliamentary career he voted with the Administration, except on the motion for the repeal of the Test Act in 1736, which he supported, as did his uncle, John Scrope, secretary of the Treasury, both of them having been elected on condition that they would do so. It was no doubt owing to his connection with Scrope that he was appointed in 1739 to the money chair, a post which he held till Scrope’s death in I752. In 1739 he seconded the Address.2

In 1741 Fane was defeated at Taunton but was returned on the Joliffe interest for Petersfield. On 11 Jan. 1744 he spoke for keeping the British troops in Flanders.3 He did not resign with the Pelhams in February 1746, offering his services to Lord Bath, like his uncle, John Scrope.4 Later in the year he was transferred, it was said against his wishes, to a seat on the board of Trade, his place of counsel to the board being given to Matthew Lamb.5

On 20 Apr. 1752 Henry Pelham wrote to Newcastle that Scrope had died

leaving a vast fortune to Frank Fane; he will have in all, at least £2,000 a year on land and above £100,000 in money, all in his own disposal, without any entail on his brothers, or even a recommendation; he is the honestest man amongst ’em all and will continue to employ his whole credit for the service of the King.6

His inheritance included both seats at Lyme Regis.

He died 27 May 1757, aged 59.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Shirley Matthews

Notes

• 1. Cal. Treas. Bks. and Pprs. 1731-4, pp. 439, 452, 454.
• 2. HMC Egmont Diary, ii. 243; iii. 16; Coxe, Walpole, iii. 515.
• 3. Yorke's parl. jnl. Parl. Hist. xiii. 390.
• 4. Ilchester, Lord Holland, i. 125.
• 5. HMC Polwarth, v. 184.
• 6. Add. 32726, f. 393.