Christopher Bethell-Codrington

Christopher Bethell-Codrington (born Christopher Codrington; October 1764 – 4 February 1843) was a British politician and cricketer.

Early life Christopher Codrington was born in October 1764 to Edward Codrington and Rebecca ( le Sturgeon) Codrington. His paternal grandparents were Sir William Codrington, 1st Baronet and Elizabeth Bethell. Among his siblings was Admiral Sir Edward Codrington.

Cricket career He was mainly associated with Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and made five known appearances in important matches in 1797.

Career In 1797 he was elected as a Tory Member of Parliament (MP) for Tewkesbury, holding the seat until 1812.

In 1806 he rejected pressure from his constituents to support the abolition of the slave trade, but denied being motivated by his self-interest as a plantation-owner.

In 1817, he purchased further lands at Wapley in Gloucestershire, which made his estate "extend upwards of 15 miles in one continued line". These estates were managed by resident managers and attorneys. Many of their letters back to Christopher Bethell-Codrington at Dodington Park still exist and are available to read on microfilm and PDF in a collection known as the Codrington Papers.

Personal life On 16 August 1796, he married Hon. Caroline Georgina Harriet Foley, a daughter of Thomas Foley, 2nd Baron Foley of Kidderminster and Lady Henrietta Stanhope (fourth daughter of William Stanhope, 2nd Earl of Harrington and the former Lady Caroline FitzRoy). Together, they were the parents of: