Godfrey Wentworth

Godfrey Wentworth was one of two Members of the Parliament of Great Britain for the constituency of York from 1741–1742 and again from 1742–1747.^[1]

Godfrey Wentworth
portrait by Joshua Reynolds
Member of the Great Britain Parliament for York
In office 1741–1742
Preceded by	Sir John Lister Kaye Edward Thompson
Succeeded by	George Fox
In office 1742–1747
Preceded by	George Fox
Succeeded by	George Fox Sir William Thornton
Personal details
Born	(1704-10-17)17 October 1704
Died	18 January 1789(1789-01-18) (aged 84) Hickleton Hall
Nationality	English
Spouse	Dorothy Pilkington
Children	Anna Maria (1736–1788)
Parent(s)	Godfrey Wentworth Anne Clark
Alma mater	St John's College, Cambridge

Life and politics

Wentworth belonged to a branch of the Wentworth Woodhouse family. He was educated at Wakefield School before graduating from St John's College, Cambridge in 1722. He married his first cousin, Dorothy Pilkington in 1728. The marriage was dissolved in 1758. Dorothy was the daughter of Sir Lyon Pilkington, 4th Baronet of Stanley. They had a daughter, Anna Maria, who eventually married Sir George Armytage, 3rd Baronet.^[2]

Wentworth had been a long serving Alderman in the city of York before becoming an MP for the city. He was also Lord mayor of York in 1759. Being a long term officer of the city corporation, his election in 1741 was designed to bring back some Tory balance to the seat and Parliament. He was noted for supporting moves to prevent electoral corruption.^[3]

He died on 18 January 1789.