Sir William Cornwallis was an early English essayist and served as a courtier and member of Parliament.
Background
Cornwallis was baptised in Fincham, Norfolk, the eldest child of the diplomat Sir Charles Cornwallis by his first wife Ann (c 1550–1584, the widow of Richard Nicoll), the daughter of Thomas Fincham, whose family resided in Fincham for 500 years.
Career
His essays, influenced by the style of Montaigne, rather than that of Francis Bacon, became a model for later English essayists. He was knighted in 1599 after serving in the Earl of Essex"s Irish campaign. On 26 August 1595, Cornwallis married Katherine née Parker, by whom he had eleven children.
He spent freely and accumulated debts paid by selling family estates.
After 1605, he spent most of his life in studious retirement. He was buried in Street Martin-in-the-Fields, London.
Membership
Addled Parliament]
Cornwallis was the member of Parliament for Orford in 1604 and 1614. When James I assumed the throne in 1603, Cornwallis became a member of the privy chamber.