Sir Edward Astley, 4th Baronet

Sir Edward Astley, 4th Baronet (baptised 26 December 1729 – 27 March 1802) was a British politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1768 to 1790.

Early life and career He was the oldest son of Sir Jacob Astley, 3rd Baronet and his second wife Lucy le Strange, youngest daughter of Sir Nicholas le Strange, 4th Baronet. In 1760, Astley succeeded his father as baronet.

He was appointed High Sheriff of Norfolk for 1763–64 and in 1768 stood successfully as Member of Parliament (MP) for Norfolk, the same constituency his great-grandfather Sir Jacob Astley, 1st Baronet had represented, too. He was a supporter of parliamentary reform.

Marriage and children

Astley married firstly Rhoda Delaval, oldest daughter of Francis Blake Delaval in 1751. Rhoda died in childbirth in 1757 and Astley married secondly Anne Milles, youngest daughter of Christopher Milles, at St Margaret's Church, Westminster two years later. On his death in 1802 Astley was succeeded in the baronetcy by his third but oldest surviving son Sir Jacob Astley, 5th Baronet, who at this time sat also for Norfolk in the House of Commons.