John Trevor (speaker)

Sir John Trevor ("c." 1637 – 20 May 1717) was Speaker of the English House of Commons from 1685 to 1687 and from 1689 to 1695.

The exact date of Sir John Trevor's birth is unrecorded. He was a grandson of Sir Edward Trevor. A native of Denbighshire and educated at Ruthin School, he was a partisan of James II and was deprived of his office on the accession of William III. In 1690, however, he once again returned to parliament as Speaker. From 1693, he also held the high judicial office of Master of the Rolls.

As Speaker he was memorable for being severely cross-eyed—the affliction was so confusing to members of the House that they were frequently uncertain as to which of them had "caught the Speaker's eye", and would try to speak out of turn.

In 1695, he was found guilty of accepting a bribe and was expelled from the House of Commons, a move which he initially resisted on the ground of ill-health. He retained his judicial position, however, until his death at the age of 69 or 70.

Through his daughter Anne, Sir John was the ancestor of the Hills, marquesses of Downshire, and of the family of Hill-Trevor, Viscounts Dungannon.

References

*1911|article=Sir John Trevor|url=http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Sir_John_Trevor