Thompson, Paul Beilby, 1st Baron Wenlock (1784 -1852)

Paul Beilby Thompson was the third and youngest son of Sir Robert Lawley, 5th Baronet, and Jane, only daughter and heir of Beilby Thompson. He was educated at Rugby School and Christ Church, Oxford, where he matriculated 11 February 1803, and took his B.A. in 1806, B.C.L. in 1810, and D.C.L. in 1815. He was elected a Fellow of All Souls' in 1806, and held his fellowship until, on 10 May 1817, he married Caroline Neville Griffin, third daughter of Richard, 2nd Lord Braybrooke. In 1820 he assumed the name Thompson in lieu of Lawley by Royal Licence. He was Member of Parliament for Wenlock from 1826 to 1832, and for the East Riding of Yorkshire from 1832 until defeated in 1837. He was created Baron Wenlock 13 May 1839, after the death of his elder brother, Sir Robert Lawley 6th Baronet, who had been created Baron Wenlock in 1821. On 1 June 1839 he obtained a royal licence to allow him to use the name of Lawley before that of Thompson, and for his children to use the name and arms of Lawley alone. On 30 January 1851 he succeeded to the baronetcy as 8th Baronet.