George Knapp (1754 – 1809) was a British Member of Parliament.
Early life and education
George Knapp was born during 1754 in
Abingdon, the son of a prominent grocer George Knapp Sr.
He was educated at
John Roysse
John Roysse (1500 or 1501–1571) was an English mercer and benefactor of Abingdon School in Abingdon, Oxfordshire.
Personal life
John Roysse was probably connected with the Roysse family of East Hagbourne but there are few records appertaining ...
's
Free School in
Abingdon, (now
Abingdon School
Abingdon School is a day and boarding independent school for boys in Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England. The twentieth oldest independent British school, it celebrated its 750th anniversary in 2006. The school was described as "highly ...
) along with his brother Henry.
One of his school friends was
William Bagshaw Stevens who became headmaster of
Repton School
Repton School is a 13–18 Mixed-sex education, co-educational, Independent school (United Kingdom), independent, Day school, day and boarding school in the English Public school (United Kingdom), public school tradition, in Repton, Derbyshire, ...
.
[
]
Career
George and his younger brother Henry became grocers, running a shop in West St Helen Street before George became a banker. George started a career in politics and by 1780 was a freeman. He later became a secondary burgess (1780), bailiff, chamberlain (1790) and principal burgess (1791).[ He became ]Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames
The Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames is a ceremonial post held by a member of Abingdon-on-Thames Council, elected annually by the council.
In 1556, Mary I of England granted a charter establishing a mayor, two bailiffs, twelve chief burgesses and ...
in 1792 and subsequently held office in 1797, 1799 and 1807. Both he and his brother Henry were to become Mayors, following in the footsteps of their father George Knapp Sr. and they both ran the family banking business from the Old Banking House in Ock Street.[
On 20 July 1798, the Borough records show that Knapp headed a committee to confer with ]John Lemprière
John Lemprière (c. 1765, Jersey – 1 February 1824, London) was an English classical scholar, lexicographer, theologian, teacher and headmaster.
Life
John Lemprière was the son of Charles Lemprière (died 1801), of Mont au Prêtre, Jersey.
...
regarding the Ordinances of Abingdon School. Lemprière has been the subject of complaints stating he had been negligent in his duties at the School and at St Nicolas' Church.
After an unsuccessful parliamentary election in November 1806 he was defeated by Sir Thomas Metcalfe, 1st Baronet
Sir Thomas Theophilus Metcalfe, 1st Baronet (8 January 1745 – 17 November 1813) was a British soldier and politician.
Biography
Metcalfe was the son of Rev'd Thomas Metcalfe, a chaplain in the British Army, and his wife, Margaret Williams.
...
for the Abingdon seat but the following year in the May 1807 election he gained the seat from Metcalfe, winning by a margin of seven.[ Also during the year of 1807 he was a Steward of the Old Abingdonian Club.][
]
Death
He died in mysterious circumstances in 1809. There were reports that he was thrown from a gig on his head and died from an affection of the brain and fatal fever but there are suspicions that it may have been as a result of a duel.
Personal life
George was a gambler (in 1807 he declined to pay for the Members' Purse at the Abingdon Races). He never married but is believed to have had two illegitimate daughters, based on the evidence within his will.[
]
See also
* List of Old Abingdonians
Old Abingdonians are former pupils of Abingdon School or, in some cases, Honorary Old Abingdonians who have been awarded the status based on service to the School. The Old Abingdonians also run the Old Abingdonian Club (OA club) which is an organ ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Knapp, George
1754 births
1809 deaths
People educated at Abingdon School
Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for constituencies in Berkshire
Members of the Parliament of Great Britain for English constituencies
Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for English constituencies
UK MPs 1807–1812