Manuscripts and Special Collections

Biography of Francis Willoughby, 2nd Baron Middleton (1692-1758)

The 2nd Baron was the eldest son of the 1st Baron Middleton . He was educated at Eton from 1706-1707, and entered Jesus College, Cambridge, in 1709, graduating M.A. in 1712. His father was raised to the peerage in the same year, having served as an M.P. for 14 years, and immediately ensured that Francis was appointed as a J.P. in preparation for his own political career. Francis was elected unopposed for Nottinghamshire in 1713, while still under the age of 21. He served as M.P. for Nottinghamshire from 1713-22 and for Tamworth from 1722-27, but was not an active participant in the House of Commons. He succeeded his father in 1729 and appears to have spent the rest of his life quietly, as a landowner and head of the Tory interest in Nottinghamshire.

Family

He married Mary (d 1762), second daughter and co-heir of Thomas Edwards of Filkins, Oxfordshire, in 1723, and had:

Archive Collections

  • Title deeds, settlements, estate and legal papers relating to the 2nd Baron's ownership of the Willoughby estates are part of the Middleton Collection held in Manuscripts and Special Collections at the University of Nottingham.

Published Sources

  • There are no notable published works concerning the 2nd Baron.
 

Manuscripts and Special Collections

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