Hugh Boscawen, 1st Viscount Falmouth

Hugh Boscawen, 1st Viscount Falmouth (pronounced "Boscowen") ( ; ca. 1680 – 25 October 1734), was an English Whig politician who sat in the House of Commons for Cornish constituencies from 1702 until 1720 when he was raised to the peerage.

Origins Boscawen was the eldest son of Edward Boscawen (1628–1685), MP and merchant, by his wife Jael Godolphin, daughter of Sir Francis Godolphin (d. 1667). The Boscawens are an ancient Cornish family. His grandfather Hugh Boscawen (fl. 1620) of Tregothnan was thirteenth in descent from a certain Henry de Boscawen. He derived a huge income from his copper mines at Chacewater and Gwennap where he was the principal landowner. The Chacewater mine, now known as Wheal Busy, was located in what was known at the time as "the richest square mile on Earth". During its life, it produced over 100,000 tons of copper ore and 27,000 tons of arsenic. His uncles Hugh Boscawen (1625–1701) and Charles Boscawen (1627–1689) were also MPs in Cornwall.

Early life Tregothnan House, in 1880. Published in Morris, Rev. F. O. Picturesque Views of Seats of Noblemen & Gentlemen of Great Britain & Ireland, London, 1880

He matriculated as fellow-commoner at King's College, Cambridge, in 1697. In 1701 he inherited Tregothnan from his uncle, Hugh Boscawen. Their children included: Anne (1703/4–1749), second daughter who married Sir Cecil Bishopp, 6th Baronet. Her children included: Cecil Bisshopp, 12th Baron Zouche, Harriett Lady Dunce, Anne wife of Hon. Robert Brudenell whose son was 6th Earl of Cardigan; Charlotte Lady Maynard, Frances Lady Warren Maid of honour to Queen Charlotte 1761–4, Catherine Bishopp, Countess of Liverpool, Baroness Hawkesbury among others. Hugh Boscawen, 2nd Viscount Falmouth (1707–1782), eldest son Edward Boscawen (1711–1761), MP, PC, Admiral, 3rd son. George Boscawen (1712–1775), MP, 4th son John Boscawen (1714–1767), MP, 5th son. William Augustus Spencer Boscawen, MP (7 January 1750 – 1828). Son of John, and his wife Thomasine, who died before William's baptism at St James's Church, Piccadilly, on 30 January 1750.

Death and burial Boscawen died suddenly at Trefusis, in Cornwall, aged 54, and was buried at St Michael Penkivel.