Richard Hart Davis

Richard Hart Davis (8 June 1766 - 21 February 1842) was a British merchant and Tory politician who served as Member of Parliament for both Colchester and Bristol.^[1]

Richard Hart Davis
Portrait published 12 August 1814
Member of Parliament for Bristol
In office 15 July 1812 – 23 April 1831
Preceded by	Charles Bathurst
Succeeded by	Edward Davis Protheroe
Member of Parliament for Colchester
In office 4 May 1807 – 23 June 1812 Serving with Robert Thornton
Preceded by	William Tufnell
Succeeded by	Hart Davis
Personal details
Born	8 June 1766
Died	21 February 1842 (1842-02-22) (aged 75)
Political party	Tory
Children	1 son (Hart Davis) and 1 daughter (Louisa Davis)
Occupation	Merchant and politician

Merchant career

Davis was a successful merchant in Bristol trading with the West Indies. In 1810, he was said to have made £200,000 by "getting possession of all the Spanish wool in the kingdom".^[2] In 1803, he joined the Society of Merchant Venturers in Bristol.

Parliamentary career

Davis was elected to Parliament in the 1807 general election as the MP for Colchester taking the seat from Whig MP William Tufnell. He didn't speak during this period until he stepped down from his seat allowing his son, Hart Davis, to take the seat. He was elected as MP for Bristol for 15 days before Parliament was dissolved for the 1812 general election where he received a personal letter from then Prime Minister Lord Liverpool who wished him luck in his election against the Radicals.^[2]

Political positions

Davis opposed Catholic relief.^[2]

Personal life

Davis' son, Hart Davis, was also a Tory MP.