Maurice Ashley (MP)

The Honourable Maurice Ashley (14 April 1675 – 21 October 1726) was an English politician who was a Member of Parliament (MP) for four terms between 1695 and 1713.

Family

Born in 1675, Ashley was the third son of Lord Ashley, an MP for Weymouth and Melcombe Regis. Lord Ashley succeded as Earl of Shaftesbury in 1683. Maurice Ashley attended Winchester College from circa 1682 to 1689.^[1] After his father's death, his brother the 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury settled on him an estate of £1,000 a year. Ashley married Catherine Popple, daughter of the merchant William Popple in 1709. She died in 1721.^[1]

Political career

Although still a minor, Ashley was elected unopposed for Weymouth and Melcombe Regis at the 1695 general election. He did not seek re-election at the next election in 1698.^[2] He rejoined Parliament, again for Weymouth for Melcombe Regis, at the general election of January 1701. The next election took place later that year in November/December and was elected for two seats, Weymouth and Melcombe Regis and Wiltshire. On 20 January 1702 he chose to sit for Wiltshire, but a few months later was defeated at the 1702 general election.^[3]

The next general election took place in 1705 and, in a contested election, Ashley was successful in the Weymouth and Melcombe Regis constituency. He was re-elected in 1708 and 1710.^[2] He retired from Parliament at the 1713 general election and did not stand for election again.

Maurice Ashley died in 1726 and was buried at Purton, Wiltshire.^[1]

References