Arthur Champernowne, MP

Family and Education b. 30 Dec. 1767, o.s. of Rev. Richard Harington, rector of Powderham, by 1st w. Jane, da. and h. of Arthur Champernowne of Dartington Hall. m. 11 Sept. 1806, Louisa, da. of John Buller† of Morval, Cornw., 3s. 4da. Took name of Champernowne 7 May 1774; suc. fa. 1812.

Offices Held

Sheriff. Devon 1811-12.

Lt. E. Devon militia 1790, capt. 1792.

Biography Harington’s father was the younger son of Sir James Harington, 6th Bt., of Burton, Oxon. As a boy he took the name of his maternal grandfather on succeeding to his late mother’s inheritance. His marriage paved the way to Parliament a month later: his brother-in-law James Buller II* put him up at Saltash, where he was returned after a contest. On 19 Feb. 1807 he and his colleague were unseated on petition. Six days before, he had voted in the minority hostile to the Grenville ministry on the Hampshire election petition, his only known parliamentary gesture. The Marquess of Buckingham, whose nominees now came in for Saltash, claimed that Champernowne was ‘decidedly in opposition’. Thus ended his brief parliamentary career. He died 7 June 1819.

Fremantle mss, Buckingham to Fremantle, 20 Feb. 1807.

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820 Authors: M. G. Hinton / R. G. Thorne

Changed his surname to Champernowne by Royal Licence in 1774.

Of Dartington Hall. M.P.

Married Louisa Buller 11.09.1806.