FYDELL, Thomas II (1773-1814), of Boston, Lincs.

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

Constituency

Dates

17 May 1803 - 1806

Family and Education

b. 15 Dec. 1773, 2nd s. of Thomas Fydell I*. unm.

Offices Held

Dep. recorder, Boston 1809-d.

Biography

Fydell was an invalid who in 1800 obtained leave to proceed to the south of France. On the resumption of hostilities in 1803 he was one of Buonaparte’s English detainees. In his absence his father, whose election for Boston had been voided on petition, made him his substitute in the fresh election. He was the successful candidate, but was petitioned against: his father consulted the Speaker on this subject, 6 June 1803. Through the influence of his father’s friend Sir Joseph Banks he was released in November and, in view of his forcible detention, allowed time to present evidence of his qualification, which his opponent’s petition had disputed.

He was an unobtrusive Member. Listed a supporter of Pitt in September 1804, he was in the minority against the censure of Melville, 8 Apr. 1805, but in the majority for the criminal prosecution, 12 June. He was still listed Pittite a month later. On 29 Mar. 1806 he secured the printing of wool import statistics. He voted for the repeal of Pitt’s Additional Force Act, 30 Apr. 1806. At the ensuing election he made way for his father. Fydell died 28 June 1814.

Banks Letters ed. Dawson, 350, 671; PRO 30/9/33, Abbot diary; CJ, lix. 7.

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Author: R. G. Thorne

Notes