About Richard Beckford
Lived 1713 – 1796 (aged 82–83). Richard Beckford was a politician and merchant.
Richard Beckford (died 12 August 1796) was a British Whig politician.
Biography Beckford was one the first mixed-race Members of Parliament of the Parliament of Great Britain and served for the constituencies of Bridport, Arundel and Leominster from 1780 until his death in 1796.
He previously, unsuccessfully, attempted to be elected to Hindon in both 1774, against Thomas Brand Hollis and Richard Smith, and the 1775 by-election when both Smith and Hollis were removed from office for bribery, but was unsuccessful.
Beckford's father, William Beckford, was an MP and plantation owner, whilst his mother was a Jamaican slave.
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Important facts
People in Richard Beckford's life
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Richard Beckford?
British Member of Parliament (died 1796)
When was Richard Beckford born?
Richard Beckford was born in 1713.
When did Richard Beckford die?
Richard Beckford died on 18 April 1796.
What was Richard Beckford's occupation?
Richard Beckford was a politician and merchant.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Richard Beckford. https://biography.guide/richard-beckford/
MLA: "Richard Beckford." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/richard-beckford/.
Chicago: "Richard Beckford." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/richard-beckford/.
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