Samuel Sandys, 1st Baron Sandys

Samuel Sandys, 1st Baron Sandys (10 August 1695 – 21 April 1770) was an English Whig politician and peer who represented Worcester in the British House of Commons from 1718 until 1743 when he was created Baron Sandys. He held numerous posts in the government of the United Kingdom, namely Chancellor of the Exchequer, Leader of the House of Commons, Cofferer of the Household and First Lord of Trade. He was also a justice in eyre.

Early life Sandys was the eldest son of Edwin Sandys (himself a descendant of Edwin Sandys, Archbishop of York), and his wife Alice, daughter of Sir James Rushout .

He was educated at New College, Oxford, matriculating in 1711 aged 16. He left Oxford in 1715 without graduating, and embarked on a Grand Tour of Continental Europe.

Opposition In 1718, at the age of 22, Sandys was elected MP for Worcester, as a Whig. He represented the seat for 25 years.

Initially a supporter of Robert Walpole's government, in 1725 Sandys and his uncle Sir John Rushout went into opposition with William Pulteney. Sandys was seen as second-in-command to Pulteney, the leader of the Patriot Whigs.

Chancellor of the Exchequer This impression that senior opposition Whigs were motivated by self-advancement rather than by opposition to the government gained substance when Walpole fell in February 1742. Pulteney (created Earl of Bath that year) brokered a deal with the Court, without consulting opposition parties. The new ministry led by Lord Wilmington was a continuation of Walpole's ministry with few personnel changes, but with Sandys appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Sir John Rushout and Phillips Gybbon appointed Lords of the Treasury.

Edwin Sandys (28 April 1726 – 11 March 1797), MP, succeeded as the 2nd Baron Sandys in 1770 Cheek Sandys (1727–1737) Thomas Sandys (born 30 September 1728, London, died in infancy) Martin Sandys (baptised 24 November 1729, Ombersley – 26 December 1768), Colonel, Equerry to the Duke of Cumberland Martin's daughter Mary (wife of Arthur Hill, 2nd Marquess of Downshire) inherited the Ombersley estates upon the 2nd Baron's death in 1797, and was granted a new Sandys barony in 1802. Letitia Sandys (baptised 25 August 1731, Ombersley – 10 January 1784) William Sandys (baptised 5 August 1732, Ombersley – 31 October 1749) Anne Sandys (born 10 January 1734 – 1797) married Christopher Bethell John Sandys (baptised 31 October 1735, Ombersley – 1758), soldier, died in Germany Katherine Sandys (baptised 25 September 1736, died in infancy) Henry Sandys (baptised 4 July 1737, Ombersley, died in infancy)