- Hugo Meynell
Hugo Meynell (June 1735 –
14 December ,1808 ), is generally seen as the father of modernfox hunt ing, became Master of Fox Hounds for theLeicestershire hunt, the Quorn Hunt in 1753 and continued in that role for another forty-seven years (the hunt is so called after Meynell's home, Quordon Hall in North Leicestershire). Meynell pioneered an extended chase at high speeds through open grassland. Borrowing the pioneering breeding techniques of his neighbour, the sheep farmer Robert Bakewell, Meynell bred a new form of hound, with greater pace and stamina and a better sense of scent.In 1762 Meynell was seated as MP after circulating a petition challenging the election of
John Levett of Wychnor. Meynell took the seat of Levett, a Tory. [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=XiDFKwjKZZ4C&pg=PA230&lpg=PA230&dq=levett+anson&source=web&ots=c7YxKUn6ga&sig=rAgYtwc0ob6D8b7ra0vNwpX13lY&hl=en A Chronological Register of Both Houses of the British Parliament, Robert Beatson, London, 1807] ] But apparently theLevett family held no grudge, because successive generations of Levetts were included in the Meynell hunts and became close family friends. [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=wcRGAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA258&lpg=PA258&dq=meynell+hounds+levett&source=web&ots=3yFyoJpjYl&sig=OWY-Zzlc36CPlraguoISpv5QjE0&hl=en A History of the Meynell Hounds and Country, 1780-1901, James Lowndes Randall, 1901] ]He represented three constituencies as
Member of Parliament in the House of Commons between 1762 and 1780, and served asHigh Sheriff of Derbyshire in 1758-1759.References
* Lewis Namier & John Brooke, "The History of Parliament: The House of Commons 1754-1790" (London: HMSO, 1964)
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