John Heywood Hawkins (21 May 1802 – 27 June 1877) was a British politician and barrister.

The son of John Hawkins, Hawkins largely grew up at Bignor Park in West Sussex. Hawkins was educated at Eton College, and then at Trinity College, Cambridge, qualifying as a barrister. He had a keen interest in architecture and landscape gardening.[1]

Hawkins was the nephew of Christopher Hawkins, who controlled the rotten borough of Mitchell in Cornwall. At the 1830 UK general election, John was elected in Mitchell, but unlike his uncle, he was a Whig, and supported the Great Reform Act.[1][2]

Hawkins lost the Mitchell seat at the 1831 UK general election, but government ministers were keen to retain him, and he won Tavistock a few weeks later. He supported the Reform Act 1832, although he opposed the enfranchisement of tenants who paid at least £50 in annual rent. At the 1832 UK general election, he switched to contest Newport (Isle of Wight). He held the seat until 1841, when he stood down.[1][2]

He was the last known owner of the missing Anglo-Saxon Witham bowl.

References

  1. ^ a b c Fisher, David R. "HAWKINS, John Heywood (1802-1877), of Bignor Park, nr. Petworth, Suss. and 16 Suffolk Street, Pall Mall, Mdx". History of Parliament. UK Parliament. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  2. ^ a b Stenton, Michael (1976). Who's Who of British Members of Parliament. Vol. 1. Hassocks: Harvester Press. p. 183. ISBN 0855272198.
Parliament of the United Kingdom Preceded byHenry LabouchereWilliam Leake Member of Parliament for Mitchell 1830–1831 With: Hon. Lloyd Kenyon Succeeded byWilliam BestHon. Lloyd Kenyon Preceded byWilliam RussellJohn Russell Member of Parliament for Tavistock 1831–1832 With: William Russell (1831)Francis Russell (1831–1832) Succeeded byCharles Richard FoxWilliam Russell Preceded byJames Joseph Hope-VereWilliam Mount Member of Parliament for Newport (Isle of Wight) 1832–1841 With: William Henry Ord (1832–1837)William John Blake (1837–1841) Succeeded byCharles Wykeham MartinWilliam Hamilton
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