William Cornwallis-West


William Cornwallis Cornwallis-West VD JP, was a British politician.

Early life

He was born William Cornwallis West. He was a son of Theresa John Cornwallis West and Frederick Richard West, a Tory MP for Denbigh Boroughs and East Grinstead who was a member of the Canterbury Association. His father was first married to Lady Georgiana Stanhope.
His paternal grandfather was the Hon. Frederick West. His maternal grandparents were John Whitby and Mary Anne Theresa Symonds. He was called to the Bar, Lincoln's Inn, in 1862.

Career

Cornwallis-West was High Sheriff of Denbighshire in 1872, Lord-Lieutenant of Denbighshire from 1872 to 1917, a Justice of the Peace for Hampshire and Denbighshire and an Honorary Colonel in the 4th Battalion of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. In 1885 he was returned to Parliament for Denbighshire West, a seat he held until 1892. In 1895 he assumed by deed poll the surname of Cornwallis-West. He lived at Ruthin Castle, Denbighshire, and at Newlands Manor, Milford, Hampshire.

Personal life

Cornwallis-West married Mary, daughter of Reverend Frederick Fitzpatrick, in 1872. Born in 1856, "Patsy" was 17 years old. She was known as a great beauty and leading socialite. They were the parents of:
Cornwallis-West died in July 1917, aged 82. His widow died in July 1920, shortly after returning from Monaco, in Arnewood House, a family property a few miles North of Newlands.