Family and Education

b. 12 May 1723, 2nd but 1st surv. s. of Montague Garrard Drake of Shardeloes. educ. Westminster 1738, B.N.C. Oxf. 1739, Grand Tour 1744-5. m. 9 Feb. 1747, Elizabeth (with £100,000), da. and h. of John Raworth1 of Bedford Row, Holborn, director of the South Sea Co., 5s. 3da. suc. fa. 1728.

Offices Held

Biography

Drake succeeded as a child to estates carrying a controlling interest at Amersham, for which he was returned at the first opportunity after coming of age. A Tory, who voted against the Hanoverians in 1746, he was classed by the ministry as ‘against’ in 1747. The 2nd Lord Egmont, in his electoral survey c.1749-50, notes on Amersham: ‘William Drake commands this borough and probably will bring in two proper men for certain reasons’, the Prince of Wales adding ‘which I am sure of’. He died 8 Aug. 1796.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: R. S. Lea

Notes

• 1. PCC 122 Brook.