Laurence Shirley The last member of the House of Lords to be hanged in England Date of Birth: 18.08.1720 Country: Great Britain

Laurence Shirley, 4th Earl Ferrers: Biography

Laurence Shirley, born in 1720, was the eldest son of esteemed Lawrence Ferrers, the younger son of Robert Shirley, 1st Earl Ferrers. From an early age, Laurence demonstrated eccentric behavior, a tendency towards violence, and capriciousness, which some claimed was a curse upon their family. However, these traits did not hinder his success in business.

At the age of 20, Laurence left his family estate and traveled to Oxford. Later, he ventured to Paris, where he indulged in the pleasures of everyday life. He inherited his title in 1745 from his insane uncle, along with estates in Leicestershire, Derbyshire, and Northamptonshire. Laurence preferred to reside in Staunton Harold Hall, located in the northwest of Leicestershire.

In 1752, he married the younger daughter of Sir William Meredith. It was said that Laurence's wife was a remarkably bright and beautiful woman, who struggled to endure his drunkenness and constant affairs with other women. In 1758, she left Laurence due to his cruelty. She remarried in 1769 to Lord Frederick Campbell and tragically died in a house fire in Kent in 1807.

The household manager, Johnson, who resided with Laurence and his wife, was later killed for testifying in favor of Mary during their divorce proceedings. Johnson had worked diligently and attentively for the family for many years. On January 18, 1760, the Earl Ferrers summoned him and, after a brief conversation, shot him. In April, the Earl was convicted of murder in Westminster Hall, with Charles Pratt, the Attorney General, serving as the prosecutor.

Although Shirley was deemed insane, he was not acquitted and was sentenced to death by hanging. On May 5, 1760, Laurence Shirley, the 4th Earl Ferrers, became the last member of the House of Lords to be hanged in England.