George Ward Hunt

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE George Ward Hunt, M.P., P.C. (30 July, 1825 – 29 July, 1877) was a British Conservative politician who served as First Lord of the Admiralty from 1874 until his death in 1877.

Early Life & Career

George Ward Hunt was born on 30 July, 1825, the only son of the Reverend George Hunt of Wadenhoe, Northamptonshire, and Emma, daughter of Samuel Gardiner. He was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford. In 1851 he was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple, then joined the Oxford Circuit. He stood unsuccessfully as member of Parliament for Northampton in 1852 and 1857, but in 1857 was elected as one of the members of the Northern Division of Northamptonshire. From 1866 to 1867 he served as Financial Secretary to the Treasury under Lord Derby, and in 1868 as Chancellor of the Exchequer under Disraeli.

First Lord of the Admiralty

With the return of the Conservatives to government in 1874 Disraeli appointed him First Lord of the Admiralty. A huge man (said by Disraeli to weigh 25 stone, or 350 pounds) he suffered greatly from gout, and died in Homburg on 29 July, 1877.

Bibliography

• "Death of Mr. Ward Hunt" (Obituaries). The Times. Monday, 30 July, 1877. Issue 29007, col F, p. 9.

Papers

• Papers in the possession of Northamptonshire Record Office.

Political Appointments
Preceded by The Rt. Hon Hugh C. E. Childers	First Lord of the Admiralty 1874 – 1877	Succeeded by The Rt. Hon. William H. Smith