Baron Ashburton, of Ashburton in the County of Devon, is a title that has been created twice, once in the Peerage of Great Britain and once in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. Since 1835, the title has been held by members of the Baring family.
Alexander Baring, 1st Baron Ashburton
John Dunning, 1st Baron Ashburton
John Dunning, 1st Baron Ashburton, of Spitchwick the parish of Widecombe-in-the-Moor, Devon, was an English lawyer and politician, born in Ashburton in Devon, who served as Solicitor-General from 1768. He was first noticed in English politics when he wrote a notice in 1762 defending the British East India Company merchants against their Dutch rivals. He was a member of parliament from 1768 onward. His career in the House of Commons is best known for his motion in 1780 that "the influence of the crown has increased, is increasing, and ought to be diminished". He was created Baron Ashburton in 1782.
John Dunning (later 1st Baron Ashburton), detail from an engraving of a 1782 group portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds
John Dunning, 1774 portrait, studio of Sir Joshua Reynolds, National Portrait Gallery, London
Engraving of a 1782 portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds of John Dunning (later 1st Baron Ashburton) (left); Isaac Barré, Treasurer of the Navy in 1782 (centre); William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne, Prime Minister 1782-3 (right)
"John Dunning, Esqr.", as a young man