Baron Walsingham

Baron Walsingham, of Walsingham in the County of Norfolk, is a title in the Peerage of Great Britain. It was created in 1780 for Sir William de Grey on his retirement as Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. He had also previously served as Solicitor General and as Attorney General. His son, the second Baron, represented Wareham, Tamworth and Lostwithiel in the House of Commons and served as Joint Postmaster General from 1787 to 1794. Lord Walsingham was also Chairman of Committees in the House of Lords for many years. His eldest son, the third Baron, was a Lieutenant-General in the Army.

He was succeeded by his younger brother, the fourth Baron. He was Archdeacon of Surrey. His grandson, the sixth Baron, was a Conservative Member of Parliament for Norfolk West and served as a government whip from 1874 to 1875 in Benjamin Disraeli's second administration. On his death the title passed to his half-brother, the seventh Baron. As of 2007 the title is held by the latter's grandson, the ninth Baron, who succeeded his father in 1965.

Ancestors

*William de Grey, (died 1687), Member of Parliament for Thetford 1685
*Thomas de Grey (1680-1765), Member of Parliament for Norfolk 1715-27
*Thomas de Grey (1717-1781), Member of Parliament for Norfolk 1764-74

Barons Walsingham (1780)

*William de Grey, 1st Baron Walsingham (1719-1781)
*Thomas de Grey, 2nd Baron Walsingham (1748-1818)
*George de Grey, 3rd Baron Walsingham (1776-1831)
*Thomas de Grey, 4th Baron Walsingham (1788-1839)
*Thomas de Grey, 5th Baron Walsingham (1804-1870)
*Thomas de Grey, 6th Baron Walsingham (1843-1919)
*John Augustus de Grey, 7th Baron Walsingham (1849-1929)
*George de Grey, 8th Baron Walsingham (1884-1965)
*John de Grey, 9th Baron Walsingham (b. 1925)

The Heir Apparent is the present holder's son Hon. Robert de Grey (b. 1969)

References

*Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). "Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage" (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990.
* [http://www.angeltowns.com/town/peerage/ Leigh Rayment's Peerage Page]