Arthur Basset (1597–1673)

Arthur Basset (baptized January 24, 1597 – died 1673) was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1624 and 1660. He was a Royalist during the English Civil War.

Basset was the son of Sir Robert Basset of Heanton Punchardon, Devon, and his wife Elizabeth Periam, daughter of Sir William Periam, Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer. He matriculated at Exeter College, Oxford on 13 May 1614, aged 17. He was a student of the Middle Temple in 1615.

In 1624, Basset was elected Member of Parliament for Barnstaple. He was re-elected MP for Barnstaple in 1625. In 1626, he was elected MP for Devon. He was elected MP for Barnstaple again in 1628 and sat until 1629 when King Charles I decided to rule without parliament for eleven years.

In the English Civil War, Basset was a Royalist and compounded for his delinquency. He was elected MP for Barnstaple in 1660 for the Convention Parliament.

Basset married Eleanor Chichester, daughter of Sir John Chichester of Raleigh, Devon, and had several children including Robert Basset, MP.