In 1780 he married Catherine Holmes, daughter of Reverend Leonard Holmes (later the 1st Baron Holmes). His father-in-law was the patron of both the parliamentary boroughs on the island.[3]
He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for the two boroughs on the Isle of Wight for several periods between 1780 and 1797. He was MP for Yarmouth from 1781 to 1781,[1] for Newport from 1784 to 1790,[2] for Yarmouth in 1790, and for Yarmouth again from 1796 to 1797.[1][3]
He appears to have held the seats only as a placeholder, and did not take part in any parliamentary proceedings.[3]