Lygon, William, 1st Earl Beauchamp (1747 -1816)

William Lygon, 1st Earl Beauchamp, was born 25 July 1747, the son of Reginald Pyndar, who took the name Lygon on inheriting Madresfield Court near Malvern in Worcestershire, and Sussanah, daughter of William Hanmer of Bettesfield in Flintshire. He was Member of Parliament for Worcestershire for thirty years. He was elevated to the peerage as Baron Beauchamp of Powycke 26 February 1806, and became Viscount Elmsley and Earl Beauchamp 1 December 1815. He married, 1 November 1780, Catherine, only daughter of James Denn, died 21 October 1816, and was succeeded by his eldest son William Beauchamp, 2nd Earl.