Matthew Prior FRS MP (1664-1721) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree

Matthew Prior FRS MP

Born 21 Jul 1664 in Wimborne Minster, Dorset, England

Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]

[sibling(s) unknown]

[spouse(s) unknown]

[children unknown]

Died 18 Sep 1721 at age 57 in Westminster, Middlesex, England

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English poet and diplomat

Biography

Matthew Prior FRS MP was born in Dorset, England.

Matthew Prior FRS MP is Notable.

Matthew Prior was born on the 21st July, 1664. ^[1] ^[2] He was the son of George Prior from Wimborne Minster, East Dorset and his wife Elizabeth(?). It is said that Matthew's father was a Nonconformist, and he worked as a joiner.

His father moved to London living in Stephen’s Alley, Westminster. He sent Matthew to Westminster School, to be tutored under Richard Busby DD (1606–1695). ^[3]
This introduced Matthew to many notable men of his day such as James Montagu MP (1666 - 1723) and his brother, Charles Montagu KG MP (1661 - 1715) and Edward Harley, 2nd Earl of Oxford, Earl Mortimer MP, a confirmed bibliophile, collector and patron of the arts. Edward was the founder of the Harleian Library and extended his father's library to enlarge the Harleian Collection. ^[4] which is now in the British Library.

Bodleian Stamp

When his father, George Prior died, Matthew went to live with his uncle, Arthur Prior, a vintner who owned the Rhenish Wine House in Canon Row, Westminster, London, England. Arthur was a churchwarden at St Margaret's in 1674 and 1675. He made a resonable fortune, leaving dowries of £500 apiece to his two daughters and £100 to Matthew Prior, the poet.^[5]

While Matthew was living in his uncle's house, Sir Charles Sackville, 6th Earl of Dorset, 1st Earl of Middlesex, celebrated for his patronage of genius, found him by chance reading Horace, and was so well pleased with his proficiency that he undertook the care and cost of his academic education.
Sir Charles sponsored several students, and this introduced Matthew Prior to many more notable men of his day.

He entered his name in St. John's College at Cambridge in 1683, after gaining a Scolarship, when he was only 17, gaining his BA in 1686. Then he went on to become a Fellow in 1688, and an MA in 1700. ^[6]

He was known as a Poet of some note. He is best remembered for such quotes as "They talk most who have the least to say," and "The ends must justify the means." His poems show considerable variety and great skill. His best poem is considered to be "Alma," ^[7] ^[8] an imitation of Samuel Butler, but is considered a delightful piece with easy humor, witty turns of phrase, and numerous allusions.

Another acquaintance and friend was John Morley (1656-1733) ^[9] whom Matthew frequently visited at his home "Munchensies", Halstead, Essex, England. John Morley requested Matthew to write a poem commemorating the rebuilding of Halstead steeple. ^[10]

Matthew's life was definitely guided and governed by whom he knew, men who could advance his career.
He had several diplomatic posts, the first appointment was as secretary to the ambassador at The Hague in 1690 on the recommendation of Charles Montagu. He remained at The Hague for seven years, during which time he wrote poetic tributes to both King William and Queen Mary. ^[6]

After the peace of Ryswick, ^[11] he transferred to France in 1698 as secretary to William Bentinck, 2nd Earl of Portland in the English embassy. Interestingly, his wife, Margaret Cavendish (Harley) Bentinck (1715 - 1785) was the daughter of his friend, Edward Harley, 2nd Earl of Oxford, Earl Mortimer MP. Lady Margaret grew up at Wimpole Hall in Cambridgeshire, surrounded by books, paintings, sculpture and in the company of writers such as Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift and Matthew Prior as well as aristocrats and politicians. ^[12]

Matthew dedicated his life to his career, so he never married. He was Secretary to the Ambassador, The Hague, 1690–7; Paris 1698–9; At the Congress of Ryswick in 1697; then Secretary to lds. justices 1697–9; under-Secretary of State 1699–1700; ld. of Trade 1700–1707; plenipotentiary, Paris, 1712–13; and finally Commissioner of Customs 1712–15. In 1698 he became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRS). ^[6]

His parliamentary career as Member for East Grinstead was extremely short and he was chiefly remembered for his open association with the Tories during the latter part of the session and consequent loss of favour with the Whigs. He reportedly voted for the impeachment of the Whig lords who had drawn up the first Partition Treaty (including his friend Montagu, now Lord Halifax), and was blacklisted as one of those opposed to war with France in 1701.

Prior retained his office until 1707, but in February that year rumours reached him that he was to be turned out. He wrote to Lord Halifax (Charles Montagu) asking him to recommend him to the Secretary of State, Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland, but not surprisingly he was removed.

The Tories’ return to power in 1710 revived Prior’s career: he was on good terms with leading government Tories Sir Robert Harley Lord Oxford, father of Edward Harley and Henry St John, 2nd Viscount St John & 1st Viscount Bolingbroke he was a member of St. John’s Tory club, the Society of Brothers; and in July 1711 St. John appointed him to make a secret journey to France and initiate preliminary peace negotiations.
The French Secretary of State, Colbert de Torcy, was delighted. ^[13]

He spent his last years at the house he bought in Westminster, Middlesex, London. ^[6]

When he died on the 18th September, 1721 he was buried in Westminter Abbey, London. From obscure birth origins to greatness, he had certainly achieved a great deal in his life. ^[14]