Anchitell Grey

The Hon. Anchitell Grey ( – 8 July 1702) was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in two periods between 1665 and 1695. Although he spoke rarely, he kept a detailed diary of proceedings in the House of Commons, summarising the speeches he heard. The diary, published in the 18th century, is the main surviving record for the debates in Parliament in most of the period that it covers.

Early life Grey was the second son of Henry Grey, 1st Earl of Stamford and his wife Lady Anne Cecil, daughter of William Cecil, 2nd Earl of Exeter. He was the younger brother of Thomas Grey, Lord Grey of Groby.

Begun in 1667, Grey's parliamentary diary continued through 25 April 1694. Originally lost, Grey's manuscript Debates of the House of Commons from 1667 to 1694 was first published in 10 volumes in 1763 after it was found, and republished most recently in 2007.

Personal life Grey was married to Anne ( Willoughby), Lady Aston, the daughter and co-heiress of Sir Henry Willoughby, 1st Baronet. The widow of Sir Thomas Aston, 1st Baronet, she was mother to Sir Willoughby Aston, 2nd Baronet. Anne inherited her father's estate at Risley Hall in Derbyshire. Together, they had a son and a daughter:

Willoughby Grey (d. 1701), who died unmarried. Elizabeth Grey (d. 1721), who died unmarried.

Grey died of cancer of the mouth at Risley Hall in the summer of 1702, and was buried next to Anne, who had died in 1688. His daughter was a benefactor to three schools at Risley founded by her ancestor, Sir Michael Willoughby.