HARDINGE, Nicholas (1699-1758), of Kingston-upon-Thames, Surr.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1754-1790, ed. L. Namier, J. Brooke., 1964
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

15 Feb. 1748 - 9 Apr. 1758

Family and Education

b. 7 Feb. 1699, 1st s. of Rev. Gideon Hardinge, vicar of Kingston-upon-Thames, by his w. Mary Westbrooke.  educ. Eton c.1711-18; King’s, Camb. 1718, fellow 1722; M. Temple 1721, called 1725.  m. 19 Dec. 1738, Jane, da. of Sir John Pratt, l.c.j. of the King’s bench 1718-25, sis. of Charles, 1st Earl Camden, 9s. 3da.

Offices Held

Clerk of House of Commons 1731-48; law reader to the Duke of Cumberland 1732; attorney-gen. to the Duke 1733; jt. sec. to Treasury 1752- d.

Biography

Hardinge, a scholar and an antiquary, sat at Eye on the interest of Lord Cornwallis. According to John Nichols, he had ‘no talents or courage for eloquence’, but as secretary to the Treasury was ‘laborious, able, zealous and so honest that he had many enemies’.1  He died 9 Apr. 1758.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: Sir Lewis Namier

Notes

  • 1. Lit. Anecs. v. 339-40.