Peter Borthwick

Peter Borthwick (13 September 1804 – 18 December 1852) was a British Conservative Party politician and newspaper editor.

Funerary monument, Brompton Cemetery, London

Peter Borthwick
Born1804 
Died18 December 1852  (aged 47–48)
Spouse(s)Margaret Colville 
ChildrenHarriet Borthwick, George Colville Borthwick 
Parent(s)
  • Thomas Borthwick 
  • Janet Blake 
Position heldMember of the 14th Parliament of the United Kingdom (1841–1847), Member of the 13th Parliament of the United Kingdom (1837–1838), Member of the 12th Parliament of the United Kingdom (1835–1837) 

Early life

Peter Borthwick was born in Cairnbank, Borthwick, Midlothian, on 13 September 1804, the son of Thomas Borthwick. He was educated at school in Penicuik and at the University of Edinburgh, where he was the private pupil of the future Bishop of Edinburgh and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, Professor James Walker.[1] In 1828 he was admitted as a pensioner at Jesus College, Cambridge, whence he migrated to Downing College as a fellow-commoner two years later. He did not receive a degree.[2]

Political career

Borthwick first came to attention through his staunch opposition to the abolition of slavery, which attracted the attention and thanks of various slave owners and Conservative Associations.[1] In 1833 he was appointed by the West India Association to defend slavery in debates in Glasgow with the abolitionist George Thompson.[3]

He was MP for Evesham from 1835–37 and again from 1841–47. In between, from 1837–41, the MP for Evesham was Sir George Rushout (later Baron Northwick) of Northwick Park, Worcestershire. These two gentlemen fought one of the last duels in England on 8 May 1838 over the disputed election of 1837.

Publishing career

Borthwick was editor of The Morning Post from 1848 until his death in 1852. This paper was noted for its outspoken support of Lord Palmerston's foreign policy.

Later life

Borthwick died on 18 December 1852 and is buried in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Brompton, but has a memorial on the tomb of his wife Margaret in Brompton Cemetery, London. The grave lies at the eastmost end of the main east–west path.

Personal life

He married Margaret Colville, who died on 13 November 1864, aged 59 years.

Their son was Algernon Borthwick, 1st Baron Glenesk, who took over as editor of The Morning Post on the death of his father.

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References
  1. Matthew, H. C. G., Borthwick, Peter (1804–1852) Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edition, September 2004. Retrieved 21 October 2018 (subscription required)
  2. Borthwick, Peter, A Cambridge Alumni Database, University of Cambridge
  3. Whyte, Iain. Scotland and the Abolition of Black Slavery, 1756-1838 (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2006), pp. 230-1.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Thomas Hudson
Sir Charles Cockerell, Bt		 Member of Parliament for Evesham
1835 – 1838
With: Sir Charles Cockerell, Bt to 1837
George Rushout from 1837		 Succeeded by
Lord Marcus Hill
George Rushout
Preceded by
George Rushout
Lord Marcus Hill		 Member of Parliament for Evesham
1841 – 1847
With: Lord Marcus Hill		 Succeeded by
Sir Henry Willoughby, Bt
Lord Marcus Hill


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