Family and Education

b. ?1699, 2nd s. of Francis Gwyn and bro. of Edward Prideaux Gwyn. educ. Ch. Ch. Oxf. 4 June 1717, aged 18; M. Temple 3 Mar. 1718, called 12 May 1727. m. (1) May 1737, Lora (d.1734), da. of George Pitt of Strathfieldsaye, s.p.; (2) 19 Dec. 1751, Frances, da. of Mathew Combe, M.D., of Winchester, s.p. suc. bro. 1736.

Offices Held

Fellow, All Souls 1721-4.1

Biography

A Tory like the rest of the family, Gwyn reported to his friend, Hearne, the Oxford antiquary, in 1727 that

the Tories are much nettled at the present proceedings ... George II continuing things as they were before, and in all probability will act, as we may judge from his beginning, with an higher hand than George I. His late speech in Parliament gives great offence to the Tories, because he commends the last Parliament, and would have such another chosen, speaks well for the Dissenters, etc. But King James may be glad of this since, if matters go on so, his interest must needs be thereby much strengthened.2

Returned for Wells in 1741, he voted against the Administration in every recorded division. Defeated in 1754, he did not stand again, dying 17 Nov. 1777.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Eveline Cruickshanks

Notes

• 1. HMC Portland, vii. 306, 376.
• 2. Colls. (Oxf. Hist. Soc.) ix. 331-2.