About James Wigley
Lived 1700 – 1765 (aged 64). James Wigley was a British politician.
James Wigley (10 August 1700 – 21 June 1765) was a British politician.
Born on 10 August 1700, James was the second surviving son of Sir Edward Wigley of Scraptoft Hall and his wife Laetitia Cressey. He was educated at Rugby School, and then Magdalen College, Oxford, matriculating on 20 March 1718 at the age of 17. In 1718, he married Martha, the daughter and heir of Richard Ebourne of Allesley, Warwickshire.
Wigley was first elected member of parliament for Leicester in a by-election on 27 April 1737, and served for the next 28 years. He voted consistently against the governments of George II, Lord Egmont describing him as "much such another man as Smith," i.e. "a good natured Tory who does not love attendance."
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped James Wigley's
Frequently asked questions
Who was James Wigley?
British Member of Parliament (1700-1765)
When was James Wigley born?
James Wigley was born on 10 August 1700.
When did James Wigley die?
James Wigley died on 13 June 1765.
What was James Wigley's occupation?
James Wigley was a politician.
What nationality was James Wigley?
James Wigley was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). James Wigley. https://biography.guide/james-wigley/
MLA: "James Wigley." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/james-wigley/.
Chicago: "James Wigley." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/james-wigley/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:02 UTC