Background
He was the 5th and eldest surviving son of William Selwyn and Margaret, daughter of Edward Nourse of Gloucester.
He was the 5th and eldest surviving son of William Selwyn and Margaret, daughter of Edward Nourse of Gloucester.
Selwyn attended Oriel College, Oxford, matriculating on 11 April 1674.
He held the position of Governor of Jamaica between January 1702 until his untimely death in April of that year. Selwyn served in the Army of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, in the time of King Charles World War II He then served at the head of his regiment at the Battle of Landen on 29 July 1693, and distinguished himself under the eye of the king. He then served at the siege of Namur, in the summer of 1695, and was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General during the siege.
He became Mayor of Gloucester in 1675.
Selwyn inherited Matson House in Matson, Gloucester in 1679 on the death of his father. Selwyn married Albinia, daughter of Richard Betensen and Albinia, daughter of Christopher Wray on 26 May 1681 at Westminster Abbey.
Although he was naturally a Whig, being from the Gloucester countryside, Selwyn was on duty at the execution of William, Lord Russell, the leader of the Country Party. Selwyn died on 6 April 1702 in Jamaica.
His body was transported back to England and buried at Matson.