Family and Education

b. 8 Apr. 1752, 2nd s. of Francis Anderson of Manby, and bro. of Charles Anderson Pelham. educ. Eton 1763-9. m. Caroline, da. of Gen. James Johnstone, s.p.

Offices Held

Cornet 15 Lt. Drag. 1770, lt. 1779, lt. 1 Ft. Gds. and capt. 1780; maj. 85 Ft. 1783, lt.-col. 1794.

Biography

In 1774 Anderson was returned unopposed for Grimsby on his brother’s interest, and in 1780 at Beverley. Like Charles Pelham he voted with the Opposition till the fall of North; voted against Shelburne’s peace preliminaries, 18 Feb. 1783, and was classed by Robinson in March 1783 as a follower of Fox. He voted for Pitt’s parliamentary reform proposals, 7 May 1783; for Fox’s East India bill, 27 Nov. 1783, and was listed as a Foxite by Robinson in January 1784 and in Stockdale’s list of March. George III wrote to Pitt on 30 Mar.:1 ‘I understand ... Beverley is so offended with Major Anderson, that any fresh man would probably succeed there’; and Anderson was defeated at the general election. He does not appear to have attempted to re-enter Parliament. There is no record of his having spoken in the House.

Anderson died 12 Sept. 1821.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: Mary M. Drummond

Notes

• 1. Chatham mss.