Walter Rawlinson
Sir Walter Rawlinson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date |
| Died | March 13, 1805 (aged 70) |
| Occupation(s) | Financier, legislator |
| Years active | 1774–1790 |
| Known for | Member of Parliament for Queenborough and Huntingdon |
Sir Walter Rawlinson (29 May 1734 – 13 March 1805) was a British financier and legislator who represented constituencies in the House of Commons between 1774 and 1790.
Early life
Rawlinson was born to Sir Thomas Rawlinson, a London merchant who held the office of Lord Mayor of London during 1753–1754, and his wife Dorothea Ray. He received his education at Bury St Edmunds Grammar School before matriculating at Trinity College, Cambridge in 1753. Prior to that, in 1752, he commenced legal studies at Lincoln's Inn. In 1769, he married Mary Ladbroke, daughter of the banker Sir Robert Ladbroke, and inherited Stowlangtoft Hall following his father's death that same year.
By 1771, Rawlinson had become a partner alongside his father-in-law in the banking enterprise Ladbroke, Robinson & Co. He took on the role of Alderman for Dowgate ward starting in 1773 and received knighthood in March 1774.
Political career
Rawlinson maintained a close relationship with Lord Sandwich and secured election as Member of Parliament for Queenborough during the 1774 general election through Admiralty support. Although aligned with North's Administration, he remained largely inactive within parliamentary debates and refrained from speaking in the chamber. He stepped down from his alderman position in 1777 and chose not to exploit his parliamentary influence to advance his banking interests.
He was returned unchallenged for Queenborough in the 1780 election and became involved with the St. Alban's Tavern group, which aimed to mediate between Fox and Pitt in 1784. That year, supported by Sandwich, he was elected MP for Huntingdon but opted not to contest the seat again in 1790.
Later life
Rawlinson held the presidency of Bridewell and Bethlehem Hospitals. He passed away without heirs at Devonshire Place, London, on 13 March 1805, aged seventy.