Family and Education

b. c. 1685, o. surv. s. of William, 1st Earl Fitzwilliam [I], M.P., by Anne, da. and h. of Edmund Cremer of West Winch, Norf. m. 17 Sept. 1718, Anne, da. and h. of John Stringer of Sutton-upon-Lound, Notts., 1s. 3da. suc. fa. as 2nd Earl 28 Dec. 1719.

Offices Held

Custos rot. Peterborough 1720-8.

Biography

The Fitzwilliams were the heads of the Whig interest at Peterborough, holding the politically important office of custos rotulorum, or lord lieutenant, of the city, which they represented in most Parliaments from the mid-17th century till they became English peers in 1742. Returned for Peterborough in 1710, Fitzwilliam after 1715 voted consistently with the Government, speaking for them in a debate on foreign affairs, 8 Mar. 1727. His sudden death of a malignant fever, 28 Aug. 1728, was described as ‘a terrible blow’ to the government interest at Peterborough.1

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Romney R. Sedgwick

Notes

• 1. Thos. Gibson to Jos. Banks, 30 Aug. 1728, Letters and Pprs. Banks Fam. ed. Hill (Lincoln Rec. Soc. xlv), 88-89.