Family and Education

b. ?1695, 4th surv. s. of Daniel, 2nd Earl of Nottingham and 7th Earl of Winchilsea, and bro. of Hon. William Finch and Hon. Edward Finch afterwards Hatton. educ. Eton 1707; Christ’s, Camb. 19 Aug. 1712, aged 17, fellow 1713-49. unm.

Offices Held

Receiver gen. of the revenues of Minorca 1729-43; surveyor gen. of works 1743-60; groom of the bedchamber 1742- d.

Biography

Finch was returned for Malton on the interest of his nephew, Lord Rockingham. He is not known ever to have given a vote against Government, or to have spoken in the House. In December 1760 his place of surveyor general of works was required for Thomas Worsley, a friend of the King and Bute. And here is the summary of a letter from Count de Viry to Bute of 23 Dec. 1760:1 ‘Lord Rockingham will resign on his arrival if Mr. H. Finch is not employed. Recommends a hint to this effect being thrown out to Newcastle or Hardwicke.’ Finch was given a secret service pension of £900 p.a.2

He died 26 Apr. 1761.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: John Brooke

Notes

• 1. ‘Register of Corresp. of the Earl of Bute’, Add. 36796, f. 62.
• 2. Namier, Structure, 217.