The New International Encyclopædia/Labouchere, Henry, Baron Taunton

LABOUCHERE, lȧ′bo͞o′shâr′, Henry, Baron Taunton (1798-1869). An English statesman of Huguenot descent. The eldest son of Peter Cæsar Labouchere of Hylands, Essex, he was born on August 15, 1798. His father, a partner in the banking house of Hope & Co., of Amsterdam, settled in England, and married the daughter of Sir Francis Baring. Henry was educated at Winchester and at Christ Church, Oxford, where he graduated B.A. in 1821 and M.A. in 1828. He also studied law at Lincoln's Inn, but did not enter the profession. In 1824 he made a visit to Canada and the United States, to study the working of their institutions. In 1826 he was elected M.P. for Saint Michael. He became a strong Liberal in English politics, and for many years was identified with the support of the measures and the initiation of the policy of the party of progress. He retained his seat in Parliament by successive reëlections until 1859, when he was created Baron Taunton. From 1832 to 1858 he occupied successively the offices of Lord of the Admiralty, Master of the Mint, vice-president of the Board of Trade, and Privy Councilor, Colonial Under-Secretary, Under-Secretary for War, president of the Board of Trade, chief Irish secretary, and Secretary of State for the Colonies. He had no direct heir, and his title became extinct at his death, on July 13, 1869.