Peter King, 7th Baron King

Peter King, 7th Baron King (31 August 1775 – 4 June 1833) was an English writer.

Life Born 31 August 1775, baptised 18 September 1775, he was eldest son of Peter King, 6th Baron King, by Charlotte, daughter of Edward Tredcroft of Horsham. He was educated at Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge, and succeeded to the title in 1793. After a short tour on the continent he returned to England on coming of age, and took his seat in the House of Lords.

Following the Whig traditions of his family, King acted with Lord Holland, whose motion for an inquiry into the causes of the failure of the Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland he supported in his maiden speech, 12 February 1800. His habits, however, were somewhat reclusive. Except to oppose a Habeas Corpus Suspension Bill, or a bill to prolong the suspension of cash payments by the Banks of England and Ireland, begun in 1797, he at first rarely intervened in debate.

King, in 1811, gave his leasehold tenantry notice that he could no longer accept notes in payment of rent, except at a discount varying according to the date of the lease. Ministers, alarmed that his example might be followed widely, quickly introduced a measure making notes of the Banks of England and Ireland payable on demand legal tender in payment of rent out of court, and prohibiting the acceptance or payment of more than 21 shillings for a guinea. King opposed the bill, and justified his own conduct in a speech later published in pamphlet form; but it passed into law, and was followed in 1812 by a measure making the notes legal tender in all cases. daughter of Hugh Fortescue, 1st Earl Fortescue.

They had five children: Hon. Hester King, m. Sir George Craufurd Hon. Anne King Hon. Charlotte King m. Reverend Demetrius Calliphronas, rector of Walpole St. Andrew William King, who was created Earl of Lovelace in 1838 Hon. Peter John Locke King.