Hugo Meynell
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Hugo Meynell (June 1735 – 14 December 1808), generally seen as the father of modern foxhunting, became Master of Fox Hounds for the Leicestershire hunt, the Quorn in 1753 and continued in that role for another forty-seven years (the hunt is so called after Meynell's home, Quordon Hall in North Leicestershire). Meynell pioneered an extended chase at high speeds through open grassland. Borrowing the pioneering breeding techniques of his neighbour, the sheep farmer Robert Bakewell, Meynell bred a new form of hound, with greater pace and stamina and a better sense of scent.
In 1762 Meynell was seated as MP after circulating a petition challenging the election of John Levett of Wychnor. Meynell took the seat of Levett, a Tory.[1] But apparently the Levett family held no grudge, because successive generations of Levetts were included in the Meynell hunts and became close family friends.[2]
He represented three constituencies as Member of Parliament in the House of Commons between 1762 and 1780, and served as High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 1758-1759.
[edit] References
- Lewis Namier & John Brooke, The History of Parliament: The House of Commons 1754-1790 (London: HMSO, 1964)
- Leigh Rayment's Peerage Page
| Parliament of Great Britain | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Thomas Anson John Levett |
Member of Parliament for Lichfield with Thomas Anson 1762–1768 |
Succeeded by Thomas Anson Thomas Gilbert |
| Preceded by Sir Harry Burrard Adam Drummond |
Member of Parliament for Lymington with Sir Harry Burrard 1769–1774 |
Succeeded by Sir Harry Burrard Edward Morant |
| Preceded by William Neville Hart Richard Whitworth |
Member of Parliament for Stafford with Richard Whitworth 1774–1780 |
Succeeded by Edward Monckton Richard Brinsley Sheridan |
 |
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