Thomas Stafford

Who was Thomas Stafford?

Sir Thomas Stafford was an English courtier, politician, and historian of the Irish Wars. He sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1593 and 1625.

Stafford was the illegitimate son of Sir George Carew. In 1593 he was elected Member of Parliament for Weymouth and Melcombe Regis. He was knighted in 1611. By 1619 he was a Gentleman Usher of the Privy Chamber to Queen Anne. In 1621 he was elected MP for Helston. He was elected MP for Bodmin in 1624. He was also Gentleman Usher to Queen Henrietta Maria.

Stafford married Lady Mary Killigrew, widow of Sir Robert Killigrew of St. Margaret Lothbury, London, and daughter of Sir Henry Woodhouse of Kimberley, Norfolk, after 1633. She was also the niece of Sir Francis Bacon and friend of John Donne and Sir Constantijn Huygens.

Stafford's will was made in 1653 and proved by his widow in February 1655. He was buried in the same tomb as the Earl of Totnes in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Stratford-upon-Avon.