Hindon had been much contested in the second half of the 18th century, but by 1790 the borough, still listed as ‘open’ by the Treasury, was firmly in the hands of two patrons, William Beckford of Fonthill and Sir Henry Gough Calthorpe* (created Baron Calthorpe in 1796). Each patron recommended one Member, without opposition, between 1790 and 1820. Philip Francis* was to have contested it for the Whigs in 1790, but gave it up.

Ginter, Whig Organization, 259.