William Drake

William Drake ( – 18 May 1795) was a British politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1768 and 1795.

Early life Drake was the son of William Drake of Shardeloes, a son of Montague Garrard Drake, MP, and Elizabeth Raworth, a daughter of John Raworth of Basinghall St., London.

Career In 1768 he was returned as Member of Parliament for Amersham. He was re-elected in 1774, 1780 1784 and 1790 and shared the seat with his father all that time. He was a member of the St. Alban's Tavern group which tried to bring about a union between Fox and Pitt. He was a prolific speaker with a powerful voice. It was said "He talked sense, and his speeches were ornate: he was fond of a Latin quotation".

Rachel Ives Drake (1783–1830), who married George Irby, 3rd Baron Boston, son of Frederick Irby, 2nd Baron Boston and Christian Methuen (a daughter of Paul Methuen of Corsham Court, MP for Westbury, Warwick, and Great Bedwyn), in 1801. After her death, he married Frances Wright, daughter of Ichabod Wright, in 1816.

Drake predeceased his father on 18 May 1795 leaving an immense property partly acquired by marriage, and partly by some collateral branches. It was said that had he lived to inherit that of his father, he would have been one of the richest men in the country.