Sir James Gray, 2nd Baronet

Sir James Gray, 2nd Baronet (c.1708--14 February 1773 was a diplomat and antiquary.

He was the elder son of Sir James Gray, 1st Baronet and his wife Hester Dodd. His younger brother was General George Gray. He completed his education at Clare College, Cambridge, being awarded M.A. in 1729. He then travelled on the continent.

Be began a diplomatic career in 1744 as secreatry to Robert Darcy, 4th Earl of Holderness, the Minister Resident at Venice and succeeded him as Resident there from 1746 to 1752. In October 1753, he was sent to Naples, where he remained until 1763, undertaking a mission to Rome concerning The Young Pretender in 1755. His final diplomatic postion was as ambassador to Spain from 1766 to 1770, duing which time he was there only about two years. On his return to England in 1769, he was sworn to the Privy Council. He was made a Knight of the Bath in 1759

He and his brother were founder members of the Society of Dilettanti of which George was secretary and treasurer. While in Naples, he took a close interest in the archaeological discoveries at Portici and Herculaneum. He nominated suitable young grand tourists for the Society of Dilettanti. He also offered advice on the king's new palace at Caserta.

He died in 1773 leaving two illegitmate daughters. His baronetcy was inherited by his brother, who died the same year, upon which it became extinct.

References

*L. H. Cust, ‘Gray, Sir James, second baronet (c.1708–1773)’, rev. S. J. Skedd, "Oxford Dictionary of National Biography", (Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Jan 2008) [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/11340] , accessed 26 Aug 2008