Walter Rawlinson

Sir Walter Rawlinson (29 May 1734 – 13 March 1805) was a British banker and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1774 to 1790.

Early life Rawlinson was the son of Sir Thomas Rawlinson and his wife Dorothea Ray, daughter of Rev. Richard Ray, vicar of Haughley, Suffolk. He was baptised at All Hallows Staining at 12 days old on 9 June 1734.

Political career Rawlinson was a friend of Lord Sandwich, who returned him as Member of Parliament for Queenborough on the Admiralty interest in the 1774 general election. In the House of Commons he supported North's Administration, but took little part in politics and apparently never spoke in the House. He was equally uninterested in City politics and in 1777 resigned as alderman. He does not seem to have used his position as an MP to secure financial advantages for his firm. He was re-elected MP for Queenborough without contest in 1780. He was a member of the St. Alban's Tavern group which tried to bring together Fox and Pitt in 1784. In 1784 he was returned as MP for Huntingdon on Sandwich's interest. He did not stand at the 1790 general election

Later life Rawlinson was also president of Bridewell and Bethlehem Hospitals. He died without issue at Devonshire Place, London, on 13 March 1805, aged 70.