Thomas Anson, 1st Earl of Lichfield
Thomas William Anson, 1st Earl of Lichfield PC, previously known as The Viscount Anson from 1818 to 1831, was a British Whig politician from the Anson family. He served under Lord Grey and Lord Melbourne as Master of the Buckhounds between 1830 and 1834 and under Melbourne Postmaster General between 1835 and 1841. His gambling and lavish entertaining got him heavily into debt and he was forced to sell off the entire contents of his Shugborough Hall estate.
Thomas Anson, 1st Earl of Lichfield
Anson family memorial at St Michael and All Angels Church in Colwich
The Anson family is a British aristocratic family. Over time, several members of the Anson family were made knights, baronets and peers. Hereditary titles held by the Anson family include the earldom of Lichfield and the Anson baronetcy. Over time, several members of the family have risen to prominence, including Admiral of the Fleet George Anson, 1st Baron Anson, PC, FRS (1697–1762) and the society photographer Patrick Anson, 5th Earl of Lichfield (1939–2005).
Portrait of Admiral of the Fleet George Anson, 1st Baron Anson (1697–1762), by Thomas Hudson
Portrait of Thomas Anson, 1st Earl of Lichfield (1795–1854).
Shugborough Hall
St. Michael and All Angels, Colwich