Pryse Campbell (1727 – 14 December 1768), was a Scottish politician. He was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Cardigan Boroughs, Inverness-shire and Nairnshire.
Pryse Campbell | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Portrait by Francis Cotes | |
| Member of Parliament for Cardigan Boroughs | |
| In office 24 March 1768 – 14 December 1768 | |
| Preceded by | Sir Herbert Lloyd, 1st Baronet |
| Succeeded by | Ralph Congreve |
| Member of Parliament for Nairnshire | |
| In office 18 April 1761 – March 1768 | |
| Preceded by | John Campbell |
| Succeeded by | Cosmo Gordon |
| Member of Parliament for Inverness-shire | |
| In office 1754–1761 | |
| Preceded by | Norman Macleod |
| Succeeded by | Simon Fraser |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1727 Cawdor Castle, Great Britain |
| Died | 14 December 1768 (aged 41) |
| Political party | Whig |
| Spouse | Sarah Bacon (d.1767) |
| Children | 7 |
| Residence | Stackpole Court |
| Alma mater | Clare College, Cambridge |
He was also the Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty and Lord Commissioner of the Treasury.
Early life and education
editCampbell was born in 1727 as the first son of John Campbell of Calder (or Cawdor). Campbell went on to attend Clare College, Cambridge in 1745.
Political career
editFrom his youth Campbell was intended for a parliamentary career, being mentioned as a possible candidate for Inverness-shire as early as December 1746; when he was 19. Unlike his father, Campbell was a strong supporter of Pitt the Elder, and it was thought Campbell might seem destined for a successful political career. Campbell later became an MP in 1754, when he was returned for Inverness-shire with the support of the Duke of Argyll. Argyll was supportive of the political aspirations of Simon Fraser of Lovat, a former Jacobite, but believed that 1754 was too soon for such a return for Fraser, and would cause offense in London.[1]
Despite this there was still a degree of competition with Fraser's interest for the seat. Aware that Fraser's acquisition of a Highland regiment in January 1757 heightened his political credibility with Inverness-shire voters, Pryse refused to assist in the recruitment process; but it was his support for the Irish Cattle Importation Act during February and March 1759 that deeply damaged his relationship with his constituents. By February 1761 Argyll had made it clear he would oppose reselection of Pryse for Inverness-shire, with the result that the latter, with the support of the Earl of Bute, stood for and won the Nairnshire seat.[1]
Despite being created a lord of treasury in August 1766 and being re-elected to parliament on 4 December 1766, Campbell was still faced the problem that under the Scottish electoral system Nairnshire would not be represented at the next election. As a result, he switched to his Welsh interest and was elected for the Cardigan Boroughs on 24 March 1768, but died on 14 December of the same year.[1]
Family
edit
On 20 September 1752 Campbell married Sarah, daughter and heir of Sir Edmund Bacon, sixth baronet, of Garboldisham, Norfolk; they had four sons and three daughters.[1]
He was succeeded by his son John, who was later created Baron Cawdor.
References
edit- ^ a b c d Oxford Dictionary of National Biography: Campbell family of Cawdor (per. 1511–1821): Pryse Campbell of Cawdor (1727–1768)