Bckground and Early Life
Wrottesley was the eldest son of the Reverend Sir Richard Wrottesley, 7th Baronet, Dean of Worcester, and Mary, the daughter of John Leveson-Gower, 1st Earl Gower. This grandfather was head of the most powerful Whig political dynasty in Staffordshire, based at Trentham Hall: the Leveson Gowers controlled a number of seats in the unreformed House of Commons. In 1754, Gower died and was succeeded by Wrottesley's uncle, Granville Leveson-Gower.
Wrottesley determined on an army career, being commissioned as ensign in the 2nd Foot Guards in 1761 and transferring as Captain in the 85th Foot the following year. From 1766-1767, he was equerry to the Duke of York.
Wrottesley's political connections were strengthened when his uncle, Gower, joined the Cabinet as Lord President of the Council in 1767, and again two years later when his sister married the Prime Minister, the Duke of Grafton. However, Gower and Grafton belonged to different, often competing, factions of the shifting coalition that constituted the Whig party.
Read more about this topic: Sir John Wrottesley, 8th Baronet
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