Walter Yonge (died 1649)

Walter Yonge (d. 1649) was an English diarist, lawyer, and Member of Parliament. He is best known for his diary, which provides valuable insights into the political and social life of England during the reigns of James I and Charles I, and the early years of the English Civil War.

Born into a prominent Devon family, Yonge trained as a lawyer at the Middle Temple. He served as a Justice of the Peace for Devon. He represented Honiton in Parliament in 1625, 1626, and 1628, and Dartmouth in 1640.

Yonge's diary, covering the period from 1604 to 1645, offers a detailed chronicle of events, ranging from national politics and parliamentary debates to local news and personal observations. It reveals his evolving political views and his increasing disillusionment with the policies of Charles I. The diary is a significant primary source for historians studying the period, providing firsthand accounts of key events and shedding light on the experiences of an educated and politically engaged member of the gentry.

Yonge died in 1649, shortly after the execution of Charles I. His diary remains a valuable historical resource.