James Craggs the Elder

James Craggs the Elder

James Craggs the Elder (bap. 10 June 1657 – 16 March 1721), was an English politician and the father of James Craggs the Younger.

A son of Anthony Craggs of Holbeck, Durham, he was baptized on 10 June 1657. After following various callings in London, Craggs, who was a person of considerable financial ability, entered the service of the Duchess of Marlborough, and through her influence became in 1702 member of parliament for Grampound, retaining his seat until 1713. He was in business as an army clothier and held several official positions, becoming joint Postmaster-General in 1715; and, making the most of his opportunities in all these capacities, he amassed a great deal of money. Craggs also increased his wealth by mixing in the affairs of the South Sea Company, but after his death an act of parliament confiscated all the property which he had acquired since December 1719. He left an enormous fortune when he died in disgrace for his involvement in the South Sea Bubble, a month after the death of his son. It is possible that Craggs the elder committed suicide.

His wife was Elizabeth Richards, daughter of Jacob Richards. Their children included James Craggs the Younger, and Anne Craggs, wife of Robert Nugent, 1st Earl Nugent.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • James Craggs the Younger — (9 April 1686 16 February 1721), son of James Craggs the Elder, was born at Westminster. Part of his early life was spent abroad, where he made the acquaintance of George Louis, Elector of Hanover, afterwards King George I. In 1713 he became… …   Wikipedia

  • James Craggs — may refer to: *James Craggs the Elder (1657 – 1721), English politician *James Craggs the Younger(1686 1721), English politician, son of the above …   Wikipedia

  • The South Sea Company — For the Noel Coward play, see: South Sea Bubble (play). The South Sea Bubble of 1720, was an economic bubble that occurred through speculation in the stock of The South Sea Company. The company had been granted a monopoly to trade with South… …   Wikipedia

  • Secretary of State for the Southern Department — The Secretary of State for the Southern Department was a position in the cabinet of the government of Kingdom of Great Britain up to 1782.Before 1782, the responsibilities of the two British Secretaries of State were divided not based on the… …   Wikipedia

  • Edward James Eliot — (August 24 1758 ndash; September 20 1797), Member of Parliament, was born in Cornwall, the son of Edward Craggs Eliot (1727 ndash; 1804), politician, created Baron Eliot in 1784.He went to Pembroke College, Cambridge in 1775, becoming friends… …   Wikipedia

  • Robert Walpole — For other people named Robert Walpole, see Robert Walpole (disambiguation). The Right Honourable The Earl of Orford KG KB PC …   Wikipedia

  • Bishop Auckland — Infobox UK place country = England official name= Bishop Auckland population = 24,392 (2001)Citation title = 2001 Census Profiles (Numbers) for Major Centres in County Durham publisher = Durham County Council url =… …   Wikipedia

  • 1721 in Great Britain — Events from the year 1721 in the Kingdom of Great Britain.Incumbents*Monarch George I of Great Britain *Prime Minister (From 4 April) Robert Walpole, WhigEvents* 9 March John Aislabie imprisoned in the Tower of London, found guilt for corruption… …   Wikipedia

  • 1721 — Year 1721 (MDCCXXI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 11 day slower Julian calendar). Events of 1721 January June * May 8 Pope… …   Wikipedia

  • March 16 — << March 2011 >> Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa 1 2 3 …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”