Thomas Watson Wentworth 1693-1750

Thomas Watson WENTWORTH, 1st Marquess of Rockingham 1693-1750

Biographical Note

Born at Tidmington, Worcestershire, Wentworth was a grandson of Edward Watson, second Baron Rockingham (1630–1689), of Rockingham Castle, Northamptonshire and his wife Anne, the daughter of the royalist politician Thomas Wentworth. He was admitted to St John’s College, Cambridge, in 1707, and left the University with an MA in 1708. He entered the House of Commons in the Whig interest for the constituency of Malton (1715–27) and Yorkshire (1727–8), serving until elevation to the House of Lords in 1728 first as Baron Malton, and in 1734 as Earl of Malton. In 1746 he succeeded to the Rockingham title, as sixth baron, and was advanced to the rank of marquess. In 1716, he married Mary, the daughter of the Tory politician Daniel Finch, 2nd Earl of Nottingham. Their son, Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham became Prime Minister.

Books

The Foyle Special Collections Library at King's College London has a book identified asa belonging to Wentworth by an inscription on the added title page of Les forces de l'Europe, ou Description des principales villes, avec leurs fortifications dessignées par les meilleurs ingenieurs... (OVERSIZE UG400 FOR).

Characteristic Markings

The inscription of the aforementioned book reads: "Thomas Wentworth Col. St. Joh. Canb. 1710 pre 1-10-0. TW." The copy bears additionally an armorial bookplate of his descendant, William Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, 7th Earl Fitzwilliam (1872-1943).

Sources

• History of Parliament.
• Farrell, S. M. "Wentworth, Charles Watson-, second marquess of Rockingham (1730–1782), prime minister." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
• Venn, J. and J. A., Alumni Cantabrigienses, Cambridge, 1922.
• Information from King’s College London, Foyle Special Collections Library.