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Edward Unton

1550 – 1589

English politician

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About Edward Unton

Lived 1550 – 1589 (aged 38–39). Edward Unton was a politician.

Edward Unton (c. 1556 – 1589) was an English landowner and MP.

He was the eldest son of Sir Edward Unton of Wadley House at Faringdon in Berkshire (now Oxfordshire) and Anne, the daughter of Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset and widow of John Dudley, 2nd Earl of Warwick. His younger brother was the diplomat, Sir Henry Unton.

He married firstly Dorothy, daughter of Sir Richard Knightley of Fawsley in Northamptonshire and, secondly, Catherine, the daughter of George Hastings, 4th Earl of Huntingdon. He had no children. In 1582 he inherited his father's estate.

In 1583 he travelled in Italy and was arrested by the Inquisition. His brother Henry paid a ransom of 10,000 crowns to secure his return to England, where Edward was obliged to sell part of his inheritance to repay his brother.

In 1584 he was elected knight of the shire for Berkshire and again in 1586.

In 1587 he went as a colonist to Munster but was recalled due to the imminent threat of the Spanish Armada. Afterwards he went as a captain on the Portuguese expedition (the English Armada) led by Sir John Norreys, but returned in bad health to die in 1589. He was succeeded by his brother Henry. His widow married Sir Walter Chetwynd of Ingestre in Staffordshire.

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Important facts

Born
1550
Birth century
Died
1589
Occupation
Positions held
Member of Parliament in the Parliament of England, Member of the 1584-85 Parliament, Member of the 1586-87 Parliament
Also known as
Sir Edward Unton

People in Edward Unton's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Edward Unton's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Edward Unton?

English politician

When was Edward Unton born?

Edward Unton was born in 1550.

When did Edward Unton die?

Edward Unton died in 1589.

What was Edward Unton's occupation?

Edward Unton was a politician.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Edward Unton

· Wikidata: Q5345685

· DBpedia: Edward Unton (captain)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Edward Unton. https://biography.guide/edward-unton-politician/

MLA: "Edward Unton." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/edward-unton-politician/.

Chicago: "Edward Unton." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/edward-unton-politician/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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