The Hon. Anchitell Grey (c. 1624 – 8 July 1702) was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in two periods between 1665 and 1695. Although he spoke rarely, he kept a detailed diary of proceedings in the House of Commons, summarising the speeches he heard. The diary, published in the 18th century, is the main surviving record for the debates in Parliament in most of the period that it covers.[1]
He was likely educated at home as little is known about his education. He married Anne, daughter and co-heir of Sir Henry Willoughby, 1st Baronet. Anne was the widow of Sir Thomas Aston, 1st Baronet. Anne inherited her father's estate at Risley Hall in Derbyshire and brought Grey connections that likely led to his early appointments to local office.[1]
Grey served as a commissioner for assessment in Derbyshire in 1657, and was appointed High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire for 1657–58. A Royalist, in 1659, he was arrested for supporting his brother-in-law Sir George Booth's uprising against the Rump Parliament.[1]
Begun in 1667, Grey's parliamentary diary continued through 25 April 1694. Originally lost, Grey's manuscript Debates of the House of Commons from 1667 to 1694 was first published in 10 volumes in 1763 after it was found, and republished most recently in 2007.[1]
Grey died of cancer of the mouth at Risley Hall in the summer of 1702, and was buried next to Anne, who had died in 1688. He and Anne had a son, Willoughby (died 1701), and a daughter, Elizabeth (died 1721). Both his children died unmarried. His daughter was a benefactor to three schools at Risley founded by her ancestor, Sir Michael Willoughby.[1]
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