Background
Born on 12 January 1764, Sir Harford Jones-Brydges was the son of Harford Jones of Presteign, Radnorshire by Winifred, daughter of Richard Hooper of the Whittern, Herefordshire.
Born on 12 January 1764, Sir Harford Jones-Brydges was the son of Harford Jones of Presteign, Radnorshire by Winifred, daughter of Richard Hooper of the Whittern, Herefordshire.
Early in life he entered the service of the East India Company, and, acquiring great proficiency in the oriental languages, he was appointed envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the court of, where he remained four years from 1807 to 1811. On 9 October 1807 he was created a baronet. On his return from he was disappointed with the prospects of promotion in the East India Company, and resigned.
He died at his seat at Boultibrook, Presteigne on 17 March 1847.
Throughout life he a deep interest in the welfare both of the ns and the natives of India. In 1833 he published The Dynasty of the Kajars, translated from the original n manuscript, in the following year An Account of His Majesty"s Mission to the Court of in the years 1807-1811, to which is added a brief history of the Wahauby, and in 1838 his Letter on the Present State of British Interests and Affairs in, addressed to the Marquis of Wellesley.
In 1843 he pleaded the cause of the ameers of Sind in a letter to the court of directors of the East India Company, denouncing the latter"s policy of annexation and conquest. He served as High Sheriff of Radnorshire for 1816.
Politically he was a Whig, and took an active interest in the election contests of Radnorshire, where he founded a political association known as the Grey Coat Club.
On 15 June 1831 he received the honorary degree of Doctorate.C.L. from the University of Oxford. In 1832 he was sworn a privy councillor, and in 1841 was appointed deputy-lieutenant of the county of Hereford.