Background
Dawnay was the younger son of the Honourable John Dawnay, eldest son of Henry Dawnay, 2nd Viscount Downe. His mother was Charlotte Louisa, daughter of Robert Pleydell, while Henry Dawnay, 3rd Viscount Downe, was his elder brother.
Dawnay was the younger son of the Honourable John Dawnay, eldest son of Henry Dawnay, 2nd Viscount Downe. His mother was Charlotte Louisa, daughter of Robert Pleydell, while Henry Dawnay, 3rd Viscount Downe, was his elder brother.
Dawnay was returned to Parliament for Cirencester in 1754. In 1768 he was returned for Malton, a seat he held until 1774. Lord Downe married Lora, daughter of William Burton, in 1763.
They had at least seven children:
John Dawnay, 5th Viscount Downe (1764–1832)
William Henry Pleydell Dawnay, died young
Honorary
Catherine Dawnay (23 August 1768 – 9 July 1821)
William Dawnay, 6th Viscount Downe (1772–1846)
Honorary Lora Dawnay (b 17 June 1774), died young
Honorary
Marmaduke Dawnay (26 July 1777 – 1 October 1851), later (1824) Marmaduke Langley
Honorary Review Thomas Dawnay (30 May 1779 – 1 January 1850), rector of Ashwell
The Viscountess Downe died in April 1812.
11th Parliament of Great Britain. 12th Parliament of Great Britain. 13th Parliament of Great Britain]
However, as this was an Irish peerage it did not entitle him to a seat in the English House of Lords and consequently did not prevent him from remaining a member of the House of Commons.