SEYMOUR CONWAY, Hon. William (1759-1837), of Egham, Surr.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1790-1820, ed. R. Thorne, 1986
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

18 Jan. 1783 - 1784
11 Mar. 1785 - 1790
1790 - 1796

Family and Education

b. 29 Apr. 1759, 6th s. of Francis, 1st Mq. of Hertford, and bro. of Lord George Seymour*, Lord Robert Seymour, Francis Seymour Conway, Visct. Beauchamp* and Hon. Hugh Seymour Conway*. educ. Harrow 1770-6; Christ Church, Oxf. 1777; L. Inn 1779. m. 10 Nov. 1798, Martha, da. of James Clitherow of Boston House, Hanwell, Mdx., 2s. Styled Lord William Seymour Conway 1793-4, dropping name of Conway on d. of fa. 14 June 1794.

Offices Held

Capt. 83 Ft. 1783, half-pay 1783.

Biography

Seymour Conway was returned for his father’s borough of Orford in 1790. A friend of the Prince of Wales, he had acted with opposition since 1785 and did so again on Pitt’s Russian policy, 12 Apr. 1791, 1 Mar. 1792, contenting himself as before with a silent vote. He was also listed favourable to repeal of the Test Act in Scotland in 1791. On the list of Portland Whigs compiled in 1792 his brother Hugh was docketed ‘Prince of Wales’ and he was queried. He was thought of for recruitment to Windham’s ‘third party’ in February 1793. At any rate like the rest of his family he became well disposed to government, which raised his father to the marquessate in July 1793. He did not stand for re-election in 1796, having meanwhile inherited £500 p.a., and a legacy of £6,000 from his father, which his eldest brother doubled.

Before his marriage, the Queen thought him shy. He parted from his wife. In later years he was ‘a very eccentric character and led a wandering life, travelling over the country on foot in the dress of a sailor; living in wretched inns at little expense ...’ He died 31 Jan. 1837.

Spencer mss, Ld. Spencer to his mother, 17 June 1794; Horace Walpole Corresp. (Yale ed.), xxxiv. 200; Prince of Wales Corresp. iii. 1389; Raikes Jnl. ii. 9.

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Author: Winifred Stokes

Notes