John Willoughby

Sir John Pollard Willoughby, 4th Baronet (21 April 1799 – 15 September 1866) was a British Conservative politician and civil servant.

Early life and family Born at Baldon House, Marsh Baldon, Oxfordshire, Willoughby was the son of Christopher Willoughby, and was educated at Merchant Taylors' School from 1809 to 1812. After a short break at sea, he then enrolled at the Haileybury College from 1815 to 1818. In the same year, he became a member of the Court of Directors, and held that role until 1858.

Member of Parliament Willoughby was elected Conservative MP for Leominster at the 1857 general election and held the seat until 1858 when he resigned after he was appointed member of the Council of India. The title was passed to John Christopher Willoughby.

Philanthropy The gift of £420 to defray the cost of a new lifeboat was received from Sir John Willougby by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in April 1866. The lifeboat was to be named Oxfordshire after his native county, and his approval was received for the funds to be appropriated to a new lifeboat station at in Cornwall. The lifeboat served for 16 years, launching 14 times, and saving 14 lives.