Family and Education

b. 29 Aug. 1745, 6th s. of Richard Clive and bro. of Robert Clive. educ. Eton 1760-1. m. 25 Aug. 1790, his 2nd co. Elizabeth Clive, da. of John Rolton of Duffield, Derbys., 7s. 1da.

Offices Held

Cornet 1 Drag. 1764, lt. 1771; ret. 1776.

Biography

In the autumn of 1767 it was intended that William Clive should stand for Leominster at the next general election,1 but the scheme was abandoned, possibly on Lord Clive’s obtaining complete control of Bishop’s Castle, where William was returned unopposed. In the House he followed his brother, and voted with the Opposition over Wilkes, 2 and 3 Feb. 1769, but apparently was absent from the later divisions; and vacated his seat when Lord Clive required it for Wedderburn. Returned again in 1779 by his nephew Edward, Lord Clive, William appears with him on the Government side in all the five extant division lists February-April 1780, and again in all the five lists of December 1781-March 1782; voted against Shelburne’s peace preliminaries, 18 Feb. 1783; adhered to the Coalition, and voted for Fox’s East India bill; and remained with them in opposition to Pitt till 1794. No speech by him is recorded before 1790.  He died 23 June 1825.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: Sir Lewis Namier

Notes

• 1. See PRICE, Chase.