Arthur Onslow

Arthur Onslow (1 October 1691 – 17 February 1768) was an English politician. He was the elder son of Foot Onslow (died 1710) and his wife Susannah.

Onslow was born in Kensington and educated at The Royal Grammar School, Guildford and Winchester College and matriculated at Wadham College, Oxford in 1708, although he took no degree. He was called to the bar at the Middle Temple in 1713, but had no great practice in law.

On 8 October 1720, he married Anne Bridges (1703–1763), daughter of John Bridges of Thames Ditton, Surrey, and the niece and coheir of Henry Bridges of Imber Court. His father-in-law died in the mid-1720s, and Onslow came into the entire estate, which had increased through the addition of the holding of Ann's sister, who had recently died, considerably improving his financial circumstances. Onslow made Imber Court in Thames Ditton his principal seat. Onslow and Anne had two children:
*George Onslow, 1st Earl of Onslow (1731–1814)
*Anne Onslow (d. 20 December 1751)

Earlier in the year, in February, he had been returned as Whig Member of Parliament for Guildford at a by-election. He represented that borough until Parliament was dissolved in 1727. During this period, he was known to have declared against a proposal to levy Roman Catholics in 1722 and opposed the motion to reverse Bolingbroke's attainder in 1725. In 1726, he was one of the Commons managers for the trial of Macclesfield for corruption.

In 1727, he was returned both for Guildford and Surrey, with the highest majority ever recorded, and elected to serve for Surrey; his younger brother Richard Onslow replaced him at Guildford in a by-election. On 23 January 1728, he was unanimously elected Speaker of the House of Commons, a post which had been held by his uncle Sir Richard Onslow, Bt and his ancestor Richard Onslow. He would be unanimously re-elected Speaker in 1735, 1741, 1747, and 1754, setting a record for length of service in that office. On 25 July 1728, he was sworn of the Privy Council, and was also made a bencher of the Inner Temple that year. The following year, on 13 May 1729, he was made Chancellor and Keeper of the Great Seal to Queen Caroline, who was godmother to his son George in 1731.

Onslow's speakership was distinguished by his great integrity in a corrupt and jobbing age. His great achievement as Speaker was to assert the independence, authority, and impartiality of that post. While he continued to participate in ordinary political activity, speaking and voting in committee, he did not hesitate to oppose Government policy when necessary. Onslow saw his role to be the protection and defense of Parliament in the tradition established by the Glorious Revolution, and insisted on the rigid and detailed observation of parliamentary forms and procedure, which he viewed as a protection to independent MPs. However, his devotion to precedent did lead him to condemn the reporting of parliamentary debates as breach of privilege.

On 20 April 1734, Onslow received the valuable office of Treasurer of the Navy, but in 1742, after casting his vote on a highly political issue, resigned it to confute claims of political influence. He did continue to receive emoluments from the office of Speaker, such as those for private bills. He also became recorder of Guildford and high steward of Kingston upon Thames in 1737. During the 1730s, he was involved in the effort that led to the charter of the Foundling Hospital and was one of its founding governors.

Due to failing health, he retired from Parliament in 1761, doing so with the unanimous thanks of the House of Commons. He received an annuity of £3000 from the King for his life and that of his son, the first occasion upon which a retiring Speaker was pensioned. Onslow was also awarded the Freedom of the City of London, and was shortly thereafter voted a trustee of the British Museum. He died at his home in London in 1768 and was buried at Thames Ditton, but his body and that of his wife were later removed to the Onslow burial place in Merrow Church, Surrey.

Speaker Onslow's nephew, George Onslow (1731–1792), a son of his brother Richard, was a lieutenant colonel and Member of Parliament for Guildford from 1760 to 1784. George had a younger brother Richard (1741–1817), who entered the navy and was made an admiral in 1799.

One of his descendants, Cranley Onslow, was a Member of Parliament in the late 20th century.

Arthur Onslow in Thames Ditton

Onslow gained much by his marriage to Ann, niece of Henry Bridges. His father-in-law died in the mid-1720s, and Onslow came into the entire estate, which had increased through the addition of the holding of Ann's sister, who had recently died. Onslow made Imber Court in Thames Ditton his principal seat. Early in his career, Onslow became High Steward of Kingston upon Thames. When he died in 1768 at the age of 76, he was buried at St Nicholas Church, Thames Ditton. But subsequently his body, and that of his wife Ann, were moved to the Onslow burial site at Merrow Church, near Clandon.

References

*1911
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