George Woodford Thellusson
George Woodford Thellusson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date |
| Died | December 30, 1811 (aged 47) |
| Occupation(s) | Merchant, banker, politician |
| Known for | Partner in Peter Thellusson & Co.; director of East India Company; Member of Parliament for Southwark, Tregony, and Barnstaple |
George Woodford Thellusson (born 2 March 1764 – died 30 December 1811) was a British figure known for his roles in commerce, banking, and politics.
Early life
Born on 2 March 1764, Thellusson was the second son of Peter Thellusson, a prosperous London-based merchant, and Ann Woodford. His brothers included Peter Thellusson, 1st Baron Rendlesham and Charles Thellusson, who served as MP for Evesham.
Thellusson’s lineage traced back to Huguenot refugees who escaped France for Geneva following the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. His grandfather, Issac de Thellusson, acted as the Genevan ambassador to Louis XV’s court, where his uncle George founded a banking enterprise. Upon his father’s death in 1797, the substantial inheritance—which encompassed the Brodsworth estate, Plaistow Lodge in Kent, and plantations in Grenada and Montserrat—became the focal point of the renowned Thellusson will dispute.
His education commenced at Haileybury College and continued at Harrow School starting in 1774.
Career
Thellusson was a partner in the family’s trading company, Peter Thellusson & Co., and in 1795 he endorsed a declaration by London merchants affirming loyalty to Pitt’s administration. As the last brother engaged in the family enterprise, he collaborated with his nephew George Thellusson and William Mitchell of Serjeant's Inn, leading to the firm’s rebranding as Thellusson, Nephew & Co.
He purchased Wall Hall (Aldenham) in 1799 but transferred ownership to trustees of his father’s will by 1805. His directorships included serving on the board of the East India Company from 1799 until 1807 and holding a position with the Imperial Insurance Company from 1803 until his passing in 1811.
Political career
Prior to his parliamentary involvement, Thellusson presided over a meeting of claimants concerning assets seized in Martinique, shaping discussions in 1795. He contested the Southwark seat during the 1796 British general election, advocating constitutional principles and peace while opposing Irish Whig reformer George Tierney. Despite substantial expenditure securing victory over Tierney, he was unseated due to electoral malpractice. Nevertheless, he won a subsequent by-election but faced removal again within a month.
His bid for Okehampton in 1802 was unsuccessful. He contemplated candidacy for Barnstaple in 1804 but withdrew before polling. Taking advantage of Richard Barwell’s waning influence, Thellusson was returned unopposed for Tregony. Though absent from Parliament in 1806, he gained election for Barnstaple in 1807 with backing from the Portland ministry and maintained this seat until his death in 1811.
Personal life
On 30 April 1790, Thellusson married Mary Anne Fonnereau, daughter of Philip Fonnereau, MP for Aldeburgh, and Mary Parker Fonnereau, herself descended from Armstead Parker, MP for Peterborough. Together they had two daughters:
- Marianna Thellusson (died 1852), who remained unmarried
- Georgina Thellusson (circa 1795–circa 1862), who wed Henry Hoyle Oddie, son of solicitor Henry Hoyle Oddie
George Woodford Thellusson passed away on 30 December 1811.
Descendants
Georgina was the mother of Henry Oddie (1815–1869), who became a lawyer and landowner. He also represented Cambridge University in first-class cricket from 1834 to 1836.