William Killigrew

Who was William Killigrew?

Sir William Killigrew was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1571 and 1614. He was chamberlain of the exchequer between 1605 and 1608.

Killigrew was the fifth son of John Killigrew of Arwennack and his wife Elizabeth Trewinnard, daughter of James Trewinnard of Trewenard. In 1571, he was elected Member of Parliament for Grantham and in 1572 he was elected MP for Helston. He became feodary and escheator for the Duchy of Cornwall and constable of Launceston Castle in 1576 by which year he was groom of the Privy Chamber. In 1578 he was farmer of the profits from seals in Queen’s Bench and the Court of Common Pleas. He was commissioner for musters for Cornwall by 1582 and was a J.P. for Cornwall from 1583 to 1587. In 1584 he was elected MP for Penryn. He was receiver for Devon and Cornwall by 1588 and was commissioner for goods from Madre de Dios in 1592. In 1593 he was elected MP for Fowey. He was commissioner acting treasurer of the chamber in 1595 and commissioner for goods from Cadiz in 1596. In 1597 he was elected MP for Cornwall. He was knighted in 1603. In 1604 he became MP for Liskeard.