Family and Education

b. ?1709, 2nd s. of Richard Vaughan^† of Corsygedol by Margaret, da. and h. of Sir Evan Lloyd, 2nd Bt., of Bodidris, Denb.; bro. of William Vaughan^†. educ. Eton 1725-7; St. John’s, Camb. 1728. unm. suc. bro. William 1775.

Offices Held

Constable of Harlech Castle July 1754-d.; sheriff, Denb. 1766-7.

Biography

The last of a family of independent country gentlemen that in the persons of his father, his brother, and himself represented Merioneth for 85 years of the century and almost invariably sided with the country against the court party, Vaughan was a reluctant politician. The status of his family guaranteed him the seat, however, as long as he chose to hold it: the Marquess of Buckingham wrote to Lord Grenville, 2 Aug. 1789, ‘There is no man of property in that county, save old Vaughan, who always votes against you’. In the Parliament of 1790 Vaughan’s name did not feature in the minority lists as usual and it seems likely that failing health prevented his attendance. He was listed favourable to the repeal of the Test Act in Scotland in April 1791. Apparently he never uttered in debate. He died 4 Dec. 1791 in his 83rd year.

A very singular, but opulent and independent gentleman ... notwithstanding he possessed a large fortune, he lived in Gloucester court, St. James’s, where he might have shook hands with one of the many ladies of easy virtue opposite, and was obliged in winter to burn candles at noon.

HMC Fortescue, i. 487; J. Wilson, Biog. Index (1806), 558.

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Author: R. G. Thorne

Notes