Sir Anthony Shirley, 1st Baronet

Who was Sir Anthony Shirley, 1st Baronet?

Sir Anthony Shirley, 1st Baronet was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1654 and 1659.

Shirley was the son of Thomas Shirley of Preston near Brighton and his wife Elizabeth Stapley, daughter of Drew Stapley of London. He matriculated at Magdalen Hall, Oxford on 14 July 1642 aged 14. He was in the commission of peace for the Commonwealth. In 1654, he was elected Member of Parliament for Arundel in the First Protectorate Parliament. He was elected MP for Sussex in 1656 for the Second Protectorate Parliament. In 1659 he was elected MP for Steyning in the Third Protectorate Parliament. He was created baronet on 6 March 1666. He was appointed High Sheriff of Sussex in 1667, but did not take office.

Shirley died at the age of 58 and was buried at Preston on 22 June 1683.

Shirley married Anne Onslow, daughter of Sir Richard Onslow of West Clandon, Surrey before 1651. He was succeeded in the baronetcy by his son Richard.