Ellis, Welbore

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Ellis, Welbore

ELLIS, WELBORE. (1713–1802). British statesman. Son of the noted Bishop of Meath, he graduated from Oxford in 1736. He entered Parliament in 1741, holding a seat until 1794, making him the longest-serving member of the House in the eighteenth century. He was appointed a lord of the Admiralty in 1747 and served until 1755. On 17 December 1762 he succeeded Charles Townshend as secretary at war, opposed sending more troops to America, and resigned in 1765. In 1776 he spoke out against receiving any papers from Congress. The following year he became treasurer of the Royal Navy. On 11 February 1782 he succeeded George Sackville Germain as secretary of state, but the next month he resigned when the Rockingham ministry came in. He was created first Baron Mendip on 13 August 1794.

                      revised by Michael Bellesiles