James Worsley

Sir James Worsley, 5th Baronet (1672–1756), of Pylewell Park, Hampshire, was a British landowner and politician who sat in the English and British House of Commons between 1696 and 1741. He tended to support whichever administration was in power.

Worsley was baptized on 28 May 1672, the eldest son of Sir James Worsley of Pylewell Park and his wife Mary Steward, daughter of Sir Nicholas Steward, 1st Baronet, of Hartley Mauditt, Hampshire. His father had moved to Hampshire from the family's traditional home at Appuldurcombe on the Isle of Wight. James matriculated at New College, Oxford, in 1688; and was admitted at Middle Temple in 1691. His father died in 1695 and he succeeded to his estates.

At the 1715 general election Worsley was returned as MP for Newtown with his cousin Sir Robert Worsley, 4th Baronet, but lost his post under the new administration. He did not stand in 1722. There was a contest at the 1727 general election and he was initially returned but then unseated on petition on 25 April 1729. He was returned unopposed at the 1734 general election and did not stand in 1741.

Worsley succeeded his cousin the 4th Baronet in the baronetcy on 29 July 1747 but not to Appuldurcombe House, which went in trust for his son. He died on 12 June 1756 leaving one son Thomas, who succeeded him in the baronetcy. His grandson Sir Richard Worsley, 7th Baronet was an antiquarian who came into possession of ‘the Worsley list’, an analysis of the 1713 and 1715 Parliaments, probably compiled by the private secretary of King George I.