Biography.guide
Home › People › Politician › John Mountsteven
Portrait of John Mountsteven

John Mountsteven

1644 – 1706

English politician;

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About John Mountsteven

Lived 1644 – 1706 (aged 61–62). John Mountsteven was an English politician and spy.

John Mounstephen, also known as John Mounsteven, (28 April 1644 – 19 December 1706) was a Member of Parliament for the Cornish constituency of West Looe until he committed suicide in December 1706 following the disclosure he was an informer selling state secrets to the French.

Family Mounstephen was the second son of John Mounsteven and Elizabeth (relict of Tamlyn) of St Mabyn, Cornwall. He was educated at Bodmin school and Christ Church, Oxford. Mounstephen purchased the barton of Lancarffe (Helland) in 1685 from the Bullock family while secretary to the Earl of Sutherland. His brother, William inherited Lancarffe, after a jury returned a verdict of lunacy following John's suicide.

Career He was sponsored by the Robert Spencer, 2nd Earl of Sunderland for eighteen years, for whom he served as an under-secretary. On 19 December 1706, Mountstephen was at Brown's Coffee House, King Street, Westminster in the company of other MPs when he took out a razor from his pocket and slit his throat. His suicide was probably because it became public about his passing of state secrets to the King of France, in return for a pension, although there were rumours that he took his life after his proposal of marriage was rejected by someone of higher social standing.

Biography shop

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
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Born
1644
Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Christ Church
Positions held
Member of Parliament in the Parliament of England, Member of the 1685-87 Parliament, Member of the 1695-98 Parliament, Member of the 1698-1700 Parliament
Also known as
John Mounstephen

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John Mountsteven's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John Mountsteven?

English politician; (1644-1706)

When was John Mountsteven born?

John Mountsteven was born in 1644.

When did John Mountsteven die?

John Mountsteven died on 19 December 1706.

What was John Mountsteven's occupation?

John Mountsteven was a politician and spy.

What nationality was John Mountsteven?

John Mountsteven was English.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John Mountsteven

· Wikidata: Q18732168

· DBpedia: John Mounstephen

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Mountsteven. https://biography.guide/john-mountsteven/

MLA: "John Mountsteven." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-mountsteven/.

Chicago: "John Mountsteven." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-mountsteven/.

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

Page generated 2026-09-27 05:01 UTC