ARUNDELL, Hon. Richard (c.1696-1758), of Allerton Mauleverer, Yorks.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1754-1790, ed. L. Namier, J. Brooke., 1964
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

16 Apr. 1720 - 20 Jan. 1758

Family and Education

b. c.1696, 2nd s. of John, 2nd Baron Arundell of Trerice, by Barbara, da. of Sir Thomas Slingsby, M.P., 2nd Bt., of Scriven, nr. Knaresborough, Yorks., wid. of Sir Richard Mauleverer, 4th Bt., of Allerton Mauleverer. m.Aug. 1732, Lady Frances Manners, da. of John, 2nd Duke of Rutland, s.p. suc. to Allerton Mauleverer estate 1721.

Offices Held

Surveyor-gen. of works 1727-37; master of the mint 1737-44; ld. of Treasury 1744-6; treasurer of the chamber 1746-55; clerk of the pipe 1748- d.

Biography

Arundell was a close friend of Henry Pelham—they had married sisters—an intimate of Henry Fox and the Cavendish family, and a favourite of George II. By 1754 he had almost reached the end of his active career as a placeman and parliamentarian. Newcastle, when reconstructing his Administration in November 1755, wrote to Lord Hartington:1

I have some reason to think, that our good friend Arundell would not be unwilling to retire upon the Irish establishment for his life. His present place brings him in above £2000 p.a. clear of all deductions, and therefore he would scarce like to accept less ... You know how nice Arundell is, I write in fear and trembling lest he should be angry with me. I should not have troubled you upon this subject nor desired it of Arundell, if we were not so much distressed for places.

The offer was well received however, and Arundell retired from court with an Irish pension and a sinecure. He maintained his interest in the political scene, and was kept informed by Newcastle. ‘You know the dependence I have upon your friendship and my regard for your judgment’, wrote Newcastle on 30 Oct. 1756;2 and in the negotiations of April 1757 Horace Walpole mentions Arundell as wishing to bring Fox and Newcastle together.3

Arundell died 20 Jan. 1758.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: John Brooke

Notes

  • 1. 29 Nov. 1755, Add. 32861, f. 135.
  • 2. Add. 32868, ff. 480-1
  • 3. Mems. Geo. II, iii. 6.