Family and Education

b. c.1726, 2nd s. of Henry Drax, and bro. of Thomas Erle Drax. educ. Eton 1742; Hertford, Oxf. 1743. m. 15 Apr. 1762, Mary, da. of Awnsham Churchill of Henbury, Dorset, 1da.

Offices Held

Biography

One of the terms of the compromise at Wareham in 1754 seems to have been a promise by Newcastle to find an office for Edward Drax. On 9 June 1756 his mother asked Newcastle to appoint Drax groom of the bedchamber in the household then being formed for the Prince of Wales.1 Newcastle was willing to do so, but on 22 Oct. Drax wrote to him:2 ‘I take the liberty of returning your Grace thanks for the great honour intended me, but as it will be attended with a closer confinement than my private affairs will admit of, beg leave to be excused accepting it.’

He contested Shaftesbury in 1761, but was badly beaten.

He died in April 1791.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: A. N. Newman

Notes

• 1. Add. 32865, f. 241.
• 2. Add. 32868, f. 384.