Background
Dawnay was the second son of William Dawnay, 7th Viscount Downe and his wife Mary Isabel Bagot, daughter of the Bishop of Bath and Wells.
Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom
Dawnay was the second son of William Dawnay, 7th Viscount Downe and his wife Mary Isabel Bagot, daughter of the Bishop of Bath and Wells.
He was educated at Eton College and joined the Coldstream Guards, reaching the rank of Colonel.
In 1874 Dawnay stood unsuccessfully for parliament at New York He was then elected as Member of Parliament for the replacement constituency of Thirsk and Malton, and held the seat until he stood down in 1892. At this time, he acquired various family properties at Newton-on-Ouse.
Dawnay died at the age of 64
Dawnay married Victoria Alexandria Elizabeth Grey 1877.
22nd United Kingdom Parliament. 23rd United Kingdom Parliament. 24th United Kingdom Parliament]
At the 1880 general election he was elected as the Member of Parliament (Member of Parliament) for Thirsk, and held that seat until it was replaced under the Redistribution of Seats Acting 1885.