Background
Born on 23 May 1767 in Sackville Street, Saint James"s, he was the eldest son of Sir John Sebright, 6th Baronet, by Sarah, daughter of Edward Knight, of Wolverley, Worcestershire. His father died in March 1794.
Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom
Born on 23 May 1767 in Sackville Street, Saint James"s, he was the eldest son of Sir John Sebright, 6th Baronet, by Sarah, daughter of Edward Knight, of Wolverley, Worcestershire. His father died in March 1794.
The seventh baronet served for a short time in the Foot Guards and was attached to the staff of Lord Amherst. He was elected Member of Parliament for Hertfordshire on 11 May 1807, and continued to represent the county till the end of the first reformed parliament. He was appointed High Sheriff of Hertfordshire for 1797-1798.
Sebright disclaimed connection with a party, but generally acted with the more advanced Whigs.
He was a strong advocate of economy in administration, of the abolition of sinecures and unnecessary offices, and of the reduction of indirect taxation. He was in principle a free-trader.
On 5 April 1821 he seconded Lord Cranborne"s motion for an inquiry into the game laws, and supported subsequent bills for their amendment. In 1826 he attributed the increase of crime chiefly to their influence.
In 1824, and again in 1828, he spoke in favour of the repeal of the usury laws, and he ‘detested monopolies of all kinds.’
As a practical agriculturist, owning land in three counties, Sebright gave his opinion (17 December 1830) against any allotments larger than kitchen-gardens, but was willing to try an experiment on a larger scale.
When, on 1 March 1831, Lord John Russell moved for leave to bring in the first Reform Bill, Sebright, as an independent member, seconded the motion. And supported this and the succeeding reform bills. On 17 December 1832 he was returned for Hertfordshire, at the head of the poll, to the first reformed parliament, but retired at its close.
He died on 15 April 1846 at Turnham Green and was buried at Flamstead.
A portrait of him was engraved by South. Reynolds from a painting by Boileau. He built and endowed a school at Cheverell"s Green, and a row of almshouses for sixteen paupers in the parish of Flamstead, Hertfordshire, where some of the family property lay.
The Sebright bantam, which he created, is named after him and remains a popular breed of chicken to this day. She died in August 1826, having borne nine children:
Sir Thomas Gage Saunders Sebright, 8th Baronet (1802–1864)
Frederica Anne Sebright
Emily Sebright (d 1822), married Frederick Franks in 1822
Caroline Sebright
Frances Elizabeth Sebright
Sophia Sebright (d 1829), unmarried
Mary Anne Sebright
Octavia Elinor Sebright
Gertrude Sebright (d 1820).
4th United Kingdom Parliament. 5th United Kingdom Parliament. 6th United Kingdom Parliament.
7th United Kingdom Parliament.
8th United Kingdom Parliament. 9th United Kingdom Parliament.
10th United Kingdom Parliament. 11th United Kingdom Parliament.