Sebright, John Saunders, Sir, 7th Baronet, of Besford (1767 -1846)

Sir John Sebright, 7th Baronet of Beechwood in Hertfordshire, and Besford Court in Worcestershire, was the elder son of Sir John Sebright, 6th Baronet, and Sarah, daughter and heir of Edward Knight Esq. of Wolverley in Worcestershire. He received his education at Westminster School. He was commissioned Ensign in the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards, promoted to Lieutenant, and to Captain in 1792, and was attached to the staff of Lord Amherst. He married, 6 August 1793, Harriet, daughter and heir of Richard Croftes Esq. of West Harling in Norfolk. He succeeded his father in 1794, in the baronetcy and extensive estates in three counties, resigned his commission and settled down to the life of an agricultural improver. He also became a Captain in the Hertfordshire Yeoman Cavalry in 1798. In 1807 he stood for Parliament for Hertfordshire. Part of his library was auctioned by Leigh & Sotheby 6 April 1807, perhaps to defray anticipated election expenses. In the event he was returned unopposed and held the seat from 1807 to 1834, as an avowed independent, taking an active part in the work of the House of Commons, but supporting neither party. He wrote books on The art of improving the breed of domestic animals. London, 1809, Observations on hawking, describing the mode of breaking and managing several kinds of hawks used in falconry. London, 1826, and Observations upon the instinct of animals. London, 1836. The remainder of his library was sold to a London bookseller in 1939.