Family and Education

b. 15 Dec. 1780, 3rd but o. surv. s. of Rev. James Willoughby, rector of Guiseley, by Eleanor, da. and coh. of James Hobson of Kirkby Moorside. educ. Rugby 1795; Christ’s, Camb. 1799, L. Inn 1802, called 1808. m. 20 June 1815, Charlotte, da. of Ven. John Eyre, archdeacon of Nottingham, 4s. 3da. suc. fa. 1816.

Offices Held

Capt. York vol. inf. 1803; capt.-lt. N. regt. W. Riding yeoman cav. 1810, capt. 1814; capt. commdt. Wollaton vols. 1817; lt.-col. S. Notts. yeoman cav. 1816.

Biography

Willoughby came in for Newark on the revived interest of his cousin the 6th Baron Middleton and retained his seat unopposed in this period. Despite a vote for the censure of Melville, 8 Apr. 1805, he was listed a supporter of Pitt in July and wrote to him for patronage later that year.1 He opposed Ellenborough’s cabinet seat, 3 Mar. 1806. Although no further vote against the Grenville ministry is known, his maiden speech of 27 July 1807 indicated that he was a critic of Windham’s military measures. He then supported the militia transfer bill and paid tribute to the services of the volunteers. On 11 Apr. 1808 he supported the offices in reversion bill which he said would be to the credit of the administration that carried it. He voted against Perceval’s resolution on the Duke of York’s conduct, 17 Mar. 1809.

Willoughby voted with ministers on the address and the Scheldt inquiry, 23 Jan., 30 Mar. 1810. The Whigs listed him ‘doubtful’ from their point of view. He opposed Burdett’s imprisonment in the Tower, but also the release of Gale Jones, 5, 16 Apr. He voted for sinecure reform, 17 May, but against parliamentary reform, 21 May. On the Regency question he was in the government minority of 1 Jan. 1811. No further vote of his in that Parliament is known. He was listed a Treasury supporter after the election of 1812. He steadily opposed Catholic relief in 1813. Thereafter no further vote appears until 25 Feb. 1817, when he voted with ministers on the Admiralty question. After a further vote against Catholic relief on 9 May, he took five weeks’ leave. He took sick leave on 22 Feb. 1819, but appeared to vote against Tierney’s censure motion on 18 May. He opposed the malt duty, 9 June, but next day voted with ministers for the foreign enlistment bill. He also stayed in town as late as 23 Dec. 1819 in support of coercive legislation.2 Willoughby died 20 Nov. 1849.3

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Author: P. A. Symonds

Notes

• 1. PRO 30/8/190, f. 112.
• 2. Morning Chron. 14 June 1819, 13 Jan. 1820.
• 3. Gent. Mag. (1850), i. 541.