Thomas Anson, 1st Viscount Anson
Thomas Anson, 1st Viscount Anson was a British politician and peer from the Anson family.
Background and career
Thomas Anson was born 14 February 1767, the first son of George Anson, of Shugborough and Mary Vernon, the daughter of George Venables Vernon. The family's surname was Adams until 1773, when his father inherited the Anson estates upon the death of his maternal uncles and his unmarried older brother, Thomas.He was the brother of Mary Anson, who married Sir Francis Ford, 1st Baronet, in 1785. Thomas's brothers included army generals [George Anson (British Army officer, born 1769)|Sir George Anson (British Army officer, born 1769)|George Anson] and Sir William Anson.
He was educated at Eton College in 1779 and Oriel College, Oxford, in 1784.
On his father's death in 1789, Thomas Anson succeeded him as Member of Parliament for Lichfield, which he represented until 17 February 1806, when he was succeeded by his brother, George. On leaving the House of Commons on 17 February 1806, Anson was created Viscount Anson, of Shugborough and Orgrave, Co. Stafford, and Baron Soberton, of Soberton, Co. Southampton, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom.
Marriage and children
On 15 September 1794, Anson married Lady Anne Coke, the daughter of the 1st Earl of Leicester of Holkham.They had thirteen children:
- Hon. Thomas William Anson, who became 1st Earl of Lichfield.
- Hon. Anna Margaret Anson, married the 4th Earl of Rosebery.
- Hon. George Anson
- Hon. Charles Littleton Anson
- Hon. William Anson
- Georgiana Anson
- Hon. Henry Anson
- Edward Anson
- Hon. Georgiana Anson
- Hon. Edward Harcourt Anson
- Hon. Frances Elizabeth Anson, married Hon. Charles Murray, a son of the 4th Earl of Mansfield and Mansfield, Ambrose Isted.
- Hon. Frederica Sophia, married Hon. Bouverie Francis Primrose, second son of the 4th Earl of Rosebery.
- Hon. Elizabeth Jane Anson, married the 3rd Baron Waterpark.