FRANCIS

From Agepedia

FRANCIS, sir Philip, a celebrated politician, son of the translator of Horace, was born in Ireland, in 1740. He was edu cated partly under his father, and afterwards at St. Paul's school; on leaving which he became a clerk in the secretary of state's office. In 1760, he went out to Portugal with the British envoy; and, on his return, he obtained the situation of clerk in the waroffice, under lord Barrington. He was dismissed, or relinquished the post, in consequence of a quarrel with that nobleman ; and, in 1773, he went to the East Indies, where he became a member of the council of Bengal. He now distinguished himself by his opposition to the measures of governor Hastings, in which he seems to have been influenced by personal animosity, the violence of which at length occasioned a duel, in which Mr. Hastings was wounded. In 1781, Mr. Francis returned to England, and, shortly after, was chosen member of parliament for the borough of Yarmouth, in the Isle of Wight. In the house of dommons, he joined the ranks of opposition ; and, on the impeachment of Mr. Hastings, though his name did not appear as a manager of the proceedings against that gentleman, yet he actively supported them on every occasion. He came into office with the Whig administration, and he was honored with the order of the bath ; but the remainder of his life was undistinguished by any circumstances of importance. He died in 1818. He published several political pamphlets, and some persons have supposed him the author of the famous Letters of Junius.