Waller Bacon

Waller Bacon (c. 1669 – 1734), of

Early life

Bacon was the only surviving son of Francis Bacon of Gray's Inn and his wife Elizabeth Waller, daughter of Thomas Waller of St Andrew, Holborn, Middlesex. and Earlham. In 1679 he succeeded his father. He was admitted at Gray's Inn in 1679 and matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford on. 23 February 1686, aged 16. In 1693 he was called to the bar.^[1] He married (with £2,000), Mary Porter daughter of Richard Porter of Framlingham, Suffolk on 4 April 1695. She died in 1701 and he married as his second wife, by settlement of 28 August 1703, Frances, who was probably the daughter of Rev. Edward Nosworthy, rector of Diptford, Devon. He leased the Earlham estate from his mother, and succeeded to this and other property on his mother’ death in 1704.^[2]

Career

Bacon was appointed a deputy-lieutenant for Norwich by December 1702. At the

Bacon came back into Parliament for Norwich at the 1715 British general election. He showed himself to be a loyal supporter of Walpole. In 1714 he obtained a place as Commissioner for victualling, which he gave up in 1717 to follow Walpole into opposition. He became a Freeman of Norwich in 1718. In 1721, following petitions from wool manufacturers, including those of Norwich, he introduced a bill, which became law, to prohibit wearing calico. After Walpole’s return to power he secured another place in 1722 as commissary of musters and stores in Minorca. At the 1722 British general election, he was returned unopposed for Norwich. He was returned again in 1727 and 1734. He voted regularly with the Government.^[3]

Death and legacy

Waller died on 11 November 1734, leaving two surviving sons.^[3]

External links

• National Trust Collections, Places Articles – Portrait of Waller Bacon MP

References