T. H. S. Sotheron-Estcourt

Thomas Henry Sutton Sotheron-Estcourt PC DL JP (4 April 1801 – 6 January 1876), known as Thomas Bucknall-Estcourt until 1839 and as Thomas Sotheron from 1839 to 1855, was a British Conservative politician.

T. H. S. Sotheron-Estcourt
Home Secretary
In office
3 March 1859 – 18 June 1859
MonarchVictoria
Prime MinisterThe Earl of Derby
Preceded bySpencer Horatio Walpole
Succeeded bySir George Cornewall Lewis, Bt
Personal details
Born4 April 1801 (1801-04-04)
Died6 January 1876 (1876-01-07) (aged 74)
NationalityBritish
Political partyConservative
Spouse(s)Lucy Sarah Sotheron
(d. 1870)
Alma materOriel College, Oxford

Background and education

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Sotheron-Estcourt was the eldest son of Thomas Grimston Estcourt, Member of Parliament (MP) for Devizes and Oxford University, son of Thomas Estcourt, Member of Parliament for Cricklade. His mother was Eleanor, daughter of James Sutton. He was educated at Harrow and Oriel College, Oxford.

Political career

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Estcourt was elected to Parliament as MP for Marlborough in 1829. He was elected to parliament again in 1835 as MP for Devizes, switched to North Wiltshire in 1844, and continued in the Commons until 1865. Sotheron resumed the name Estcourt in 1855, and entered Lord Derby's second government in 1858 as President of the Poor Law Board. The next year, he became Home Secretary, but the government soon fell. He had been sworn of the Privy Council in 1858.

Family

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Sotheron-Estcourt married Lucy Sarah, daughter of Admiral Frank Sotheron, in 1830. In 1839 he assumed by Royal licence the surname of Sotheron in lieu of his patronymic in order to inherit his father-in-law's property. However, in 1853 he resumed by Royal licence the surname of Estcourt in addition to that of Sotheron. He retired from public life in 1863 after a paralytic seizure. He died in January 1876, aged 74. His wife had died in 1870. Sotheron-Estcourt's estates passed to his nephew George Bucknall-Estcourt, who assumed the surname of Sotheron-Estcourt and was created Baron Estcourt in 1903.

References

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Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Marlborough
1829–1832
With: Lord Brudenell 1829
William John Bankes 1829–1832
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Devizes
18351844
With: Sir Philip Charles Durham 1835–1836
James Whitley Deans Dundas 1836–1838
George Heneage Walker Heneage 1838–1884
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of Parliament for North Wiltshire
18441865
With: Walter Long
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by President of the Poor Law Board
1858–1859
Succeeded by
Preceded by Secretary of State for the Home Department
1859
Succeeded by