Peter Burrell, 1st Baron Gwydyr

Who was Peter Burrell, 1st Baron Gwydyr?

Peter Burrell, 1st Baron Gwydyr PC featured in English politics at the end of the 18th century but he was best known for his involvement in cricket, particularly his part in the foundation of Marylebone Cricket Club in 1787. Burrell has been called the third most influential member of the White Conduit Club and of the early MCC, after George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea and Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond. He was educated at Eton College and St John's College, Cambridge.

The son of Peter Burrell, he was a well known political figure and, apart from a couple of years in the early 1780s, was an MP from 1776 to 1796. The highlight of his career was his role as Deputy Lord Great Chamberlain, jure uxoris, in the famous trial of Warren Hastings. Hastings had been the first Governor-General of India from 1773 to 1786 but in 1787 he was impeached and subsequently tried for corruption; but was acquitted in 1795.

The playing career of Sir Peter Burrell extends to just 9 known first-class matches from 1785 to 1790. He played for Kent in a couple of matches although he was a Londoner by birth and his family seat was in Sussex. He was a very useful batsman as indicated by his highest innings of 97 playing for White Conduit Club v Gentlemen of Kent at White Conduit Fields on Thursday, 30 June and Friday, 1 July 1785.