Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Gisborne, Thomas (1794-1852)

by no contributor recorded

GISBORNE, THOMAS, the younger (1794–1852), politician, born 1794, was the eldest son of Thomas Gisborne [q. v.], prebendary of Durham, by Mary, daughter of Thomas Babington, of Rothley Temple, Leicestershire. He was a country gentleman of a good estate and interested in business at Manchester. He was elected for Stafford in 1830, and again in 1831, as a supporter of the Reform Bill. In the first reformed parliament he represented the northern division of Derbyshire, and was re-elected in 1835. In 1837 he lost his seat; but in 1839 he stood for Carlow, and, though beaten at the poll, was seated on petition. In 1841 he stood unsuccessfully for South Leicestershire, but in 1843 was elected for the town of Nottingham. He was a staunch whig or radical; supported the ballot, the abolition of church rates, and the extension of the suffrage; but was most conspicuous as a supporter of the free trade agitation. He was a vigorous speaker, with much humour. He died 20 July 1852 at Yoxall Lodge, Staffordshire. He published some speeches and pamphlets; and in 1854 appeared four ‘Essays on Agriculture,’ of which three had already appeared in the ‘Quarterly Review’ (Nos. 168, 171, 173). By his first wife, Elizabeth Fysche, daughter of John Palmer, who died 20 June 1823, he had four children, Thomas Guy, Henry Fysche, Thomas Bowdler, and Elizabeth Maria. In 1826 he married Susan, widow of Francis Dukinfield Astley, by whom he had no children.

[Gent. Mag. 1852, ii. 315.]