Thomas Onslow, 2nd Earl of Onslow
Thomas Onslow, 2nd Earl of Onslow (15 March 1754 – 22 February 1827) was an English nobleman and courtier who succeeded to his title in 1814. Originally the Honourable Tom Onslow, he was styled Viscount Cranley from 1801 to 1814. He died in 1827 at his seat, Clandon Park in Surrey.
Family
Onslow was born at Imber Court, Thames Ditton, Surrey, the eldest son of the then George Onslow, later the 1st Earl. and Henrietta Shelley, daughter of Sir John Shelley, 4th Baronet and his second wife Margaret Pelham.
On 30 December 1776, he married Arabella Mainwaring-Ellerker (d. 1782), by whom he had four children:
- Arthur George Onslow, 3rd Earl of Onslow (1777–1870)
- Hon. Thomas Cranley Onslow (1778–1861)
- Capt. & Lt-Col. Hon. Mainwaring Edward Onslow (2 October 1779 – 1861)
- Lady Elizabeth Harriet Onslow (d. 18 July 1824)
He subsequently married, on 13 February 1783, Charlotte Duncombe (d. 1819), née Hale, widow of Thomas Duncombe (d. 1779). They had one daughter:
- Lady Georgiana Charlotte Onslow (d. 15 May 1829)
Parliament
Onslow entered the British House of Commons for Rye in 1775. In 1784, he left Rye and replaced his father's first cousin, Colonel Onslow, as MP for Guildford upon the retirement of the latter. He continued to represent that constituency until 1806, when he was replaced by his second son, Thomas Cranley.
A supporter of the Foxite Whigs, Onslow was, however, little active in the House of Commons, presenting a petition in 1781 on behalf of a "body of the innholders of England", complaining of the quartering of soldiers upon them. As an associate of the Prince, he was sent to Mrs Fitzherbert to tell her that the Prince had attempted suicide and only she could save his life, and he guarded the door of Fitzherbert's house when she secretly married the prince. However, he later fell out with the Prince, for reasons unknown, voting in favour of Pitt's regency proposal of 1789 and against the abolition of the slave trade in 1796.
Sport
Cricket
Onslow was an amateur cricketer mainly associated with Surrey and he made 3 known appearances in first-class matches from 1801 to 1808.[1]
Carriage driving
Onslow was an intimate of the Prince of Wales, and was known for his mania for driving four-in-hand. His phaeton, painted black and drawn by "four of the finest black horses in England", was thought by Gronow to have the appearance of an undertaker's carriage. He was the subject of numerous satirical verses on the subject, such as "What cam Tommy Onslow do/ he can drive a coach and two?/Can Tommy Onslow do more/Yes drive a coach and four".
References
- Arthur Haygarth, Scores & Biographies, Volume 1 (1744–1826), Lillywhite, 1862
External sources
- CricketArchive record
- Barker, G. F. R (2004). "Onslow, George, first earl of Onslow (1731–1814)". In rev. E. A. Smith (ed.). Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 23 November 2007.
- Gentleman's Magazine v.XCVII (Jan.–Jun. 1827) p. 269
- Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by the Earl of Onslow
| Parliament of Great Britain | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Rose Fuller Middleton Onslow |
Member of Parliament for Rye 1775–1784 With: Rose Fuller 1775–77 William Dickinson 1777–84 |
Succeeded by William Dickinson Charles Wolfran Cornwall |
| Preceded by George Onslow William Norton |
Member of Parliament for Guildford 1784–1801 With: Chapple Norton 1784–90 George Holme Sumner 1790–96 Chapple Norton 1796–1801 |
Succeeded by Parliament of the United Kingdom |
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
| Preceded by Parliament of Great Britain |
Member of Parliament for Guildford 1801–1806 With: Chapple Norton |
Succeeded by Thomas Cranley Onslow George Holme Sumner |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by George Onslow |
Out-Ranger of Windsor Forest 1792–1827 |
Office abolished |
| Peerage of the United Kingdom | ||
| Preceded by George Onslow |
Earl of Onslow 1814–1827 |
Succeeded by Arthur Onslow |