Paul Methuen

Sir Paul Methuen ( – 11 April 1757) was a British Whig politician and diplomat who sat in the House of Commons between 1708 and 1747. He was an envoy to Portugal between 1697 and 1708 and later a holder of public offices, particularly in the Royal household.

Early life Methuen was born in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, the son of John Methuen and his wife Mary Cheevers, daughter of Seacole Cheevers (or Chivers). His parents' marriage was unhappy and they separated when he was in his teens. His father inherited the lease of the manor of Bishops Cannings, near Devizes. He was educated privately and then at a Jesuit school in Paris.

Diplomatic career Methuen went to Lisbon in 1691, when his father was appointed minister there. He gained valuable diplomatic experience and the esteem of Peter II of Portugal. During two absences of his father, he became chargé d'affaires, rising to Minister on his father's appointment as Lord Chancellor of Ireland in 1697. He was unable to prevent a Portuguese-French alliance in 1701. When his father returned to Portugal as a special envoy in 1702, they were successful in breaking the alliance in 1703. That led to the Methuen commercial treaty between England and Portugal, the basis of Britain's monopoly of Portuguese trade for much of the 18th century. His father remained in Portugal as ambassador. In 1705, Methuen served with the army, being present at the capture of Gibraltar. On his return to England to obtain military supplies he was appointed Minister to Savoy, but succeeded his father as ambassador to Portugal on the latter's death in July 1706.

At the 1715 general election, Methuen was returned unopposed as MP for Brackley. In 1715, he was sent as ambassador to Spain and Morocco to negotiate a commercial treaty, but had to return because of ill health. He became Secretary of State for the Southern Department in 1716 and transported war prisoners from the Scottish Highlands to America. He resigned with Robert Walpole in 1717. When Walpole resumed office in 1720, he became Comptroller of the Royal Household.

Death and legacy Methuen died, unmarried, in 1757, and was buried in the south aisle of Westminster Abbey, near his father John. His only brother Henry had been killed in a brawl in Lisbon in 1694. His heir was his cousin Paul Methuen, for whom he bought Corsham Court;