Richard Beckford

Richard Beckford was a British Whigs (British [political party)|Whig] politician.

Biography

Beckford was one the first mixed-race Members of Parliament of the Parliament of Great Britain and served for the constituencies of Bridport (UK [Parliament constituency)|Bridport], Arundel and Leominster from 1780 [British general election|1780] until his death in 1796.
He previously, unsuccessfully, attempted to be elected to Hindon in both 1774, against Thomas [Brand Hollis] and Richard Smith (East [India Company officer)|Richard Smith], and the 1775 by-election when both Smith and Hollis were removed from office for bribery, but was unsuccessful.
Beckford's father, William Beckford, was an MP and plantation owner, whilst his mother was a Jamaican slave.