Thomas Coke

Who was Thomas Coke?

Thomas Coke was an English courtier and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1698 and 1715.

Coke was the son of John Coke and his wife Mary Leventhorpe, daughter of Sir Thomas Leventhorpe, 4th Baronet. He was born at Melbourne, Derbyshire where he was baptised on 19 February 1675. His father was MP for Derby. Coke lost his parents when under age and was educated abroad under Monsieur Chauvais of Rotterdam.

Coke was elected Member of Parliament for Derbyshire in 1698 and sat until January 1701. He was re-elected MP for Derbyshire in December 1701 and held the seat until 1710. In 1710 he was elected MP for Grampound and held the seat until 1715.

Coke was Vice-Chamberlain of the Household, a Privy Counsellor, and Teller of the Receipt of the Exchequer. When he came into possession of Melbourne Hall he altered and extended the house. He is credited with creating the gardens at Melbourne.

Coke died suddenly after a few days illnes at the age of 52 and was buried at Melbourne

Coke married firstly Lady Mary Stanhope daughter of Philip Earl of Chesterfield at Repton in 1698. He married secondly Hon Mary Hale, one of the Maids of Honour to Queen Anne.