Ralph Verney, 1st Earl Verney
Ralph Verney, 1st Earl Verney (18 March 1683 – 4 October 1752),[1] styled The Honourable from 1703 to 1717 and subsequently known as The Viscount Fermanagh until 1742, was an Irish peer and Tory politician.
Background
Born at Little Chelsea, Verney was the only surviving son of John Verney, 1st Viscount Fermanagh and his first wife Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of Ralph Palmer.[2] He was baptised in Kensington.[2]
Career
In 1717, Verney succeeded his father as viscount and took his seat in the Irish House of Lords.[2] The latter title was in the Peerage of Ireland and thus didn't prevent him from entering the British House of Commons in the same year, having been elected for Amersham.[1] He represented the constituency until 1727 and was returned to Parliament for Wendover in 1741.[1] A year later he was created Earl Verney, in the Province of Leinster.[3]
Family
Verney married Catherine, eldest daughter of Henry Paschall in St Giles in the Fields.[4] The couple had two sons and two daughters.[4] His wife died in 1748 and Verney survived her by four years, dying at his birthplace; both were buried in Middle Claydon.[4] His older son John having predeceased him in 1737 he was succeeded in his titles by his second son Ralph.[4] John's daughter Mary was raised to the Peerage in her own right in 1792.[5]