James Oswald (younger)

Dunnikier, Kirkcaldy, now called the Path House

James Oswald (1715 – 24 March 1769) was a Scottish politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1741 to 1768.[1]

Oswald was the son of James Oswald a politician of Kirkcaldy, whom he succeeded in c.1725, inheriting his Kirkcaldy home, Dunnikier, now known as the Path House.[2] He was admitted at Lincolns Inn in 1733. [3]

The Oswald family became the dominant force in Kirkcaldy politics in the 18th century and Dysart, the second largest burgh was controlled by the St. Clair interest. The combined Oswald and St. Clair influence often decided who was to be elected. Oswald was elected Member of Parliament for Dysart Burghs in 1741[4] and was a Commissioner of the Navy in 1745. In 1747 he exchanged the seat with James St Clair and was elected MP for Fife until 1754. In 1752 he was Commissioner for trade and plantations. Oswald exchanged seats with James St Clair again in 1754 and was elected MP for Dysart Burghs. He was Lord Commissioner of the Treasury in 1760 and Vice Treasurer of Ireland in 1763.

He retired in 1768 when his son James Townsend Oswald took over the seat and died in 1769 at the age of 52. In 1747 he had married Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Townsend, a London brewer and the widow of Abraham Reynardson. They had 1 son.[3]

References

  1. ↑ James Oswald Memorials of the public life and character of James Oswald, in a correspondence with distinguished men of the last century 1825
  2. ↑ Joseph Foster Members of Parliament, Scotland, Including the Minor Barons, the Commissioners for the Shires BiblioBazaar, LLC, 2009 ISBN 1-113-82016-0 ISBN 978-1-113-82016-7
  3. 1 2 "OSWALD, James (1715-69), of Dunnikier, Fife". History of Parliament Online. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  4. ↑ Leigh Rayment
Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by
Hon. Thomas Leslie		 Member of Parliament for Dysart Burghs
1741–1747		 Succeeded by
James St Clair
Preceded by
David Scott		 Member of Parliament for Fife
1747–1754		 Succeeded by
James St Clair
Preceded by
James St Clair		 Member of Parliament for Dysart Burghs
1754–1768		 Succeeded by
James Townsend Oswald
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