Evelyn Pierrepont (1655 – 30 May 1726), later created 1st Duke of Kingston‑upon‑Hull, was an English aristocrat and politician who served in the House of Commons before succeeding to the peerage.
Early life and family
Evelyn Pierrepont was born in 1655, the eldest son of William Pierrepont, a prominent Member of Parliament, and his wife Frances Cavendish. The Pierrepont family held extensive estates in Nottinghamshire and had long-standing connections with the political life of the county.
Political career
Member of Parliament
- Nottingham (1689–1690) – Pierrepont was elected MP for the borough of Nottingham in the Parliament summoned after the Glorious Revolution.
- East Retford (1695–1698) – He later returned to Parliament as the representative for East Retford, another Nottinghamshire constituency.
During his tenure in the Commons, Pierrepont generally supported the policies of the Whig establishment, though detailed records of his voting behaviour are limited.
Elevation to the peerage
In 1690 Pierrepont succeeded his father as Earl of Kingston‑upon‑Hull and consequently moved from the House of Commons to the House of Lords. He was further honoured in 1715 when Queen Anne’s successor, King George I, created him Duke of Kingston‑upon‑Hull.
Later life and death
As a peer, the Duke held a number of local offices, including Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire. He remained an influential figure in regional politics and patron of the arts until his death on 30 May 1726. He was buried in St Peter’s Church, Kingston‑upon‑Hull.
Legacy
Evelyn Pierrepont’s political career illustrates the transition from landed gentry service in the House of Commons to senior peerage roles in the early 18th century. His descendants continued to occupy prominent positions in British society, although the dukedom became extinct in 1869.
Note: While the core biographical details of Evelyn Pierrepont’s life and his service as MP for Nottingham and East Retford are well‑documented, precise dates of his parliamentary service are subject to minor variation among contemporary records.
