Matthew Sharpe (British Army officer)

General Matthew Sharpe (1773 – 12 February 1845)[1] was a Scottish politician and British Army officer.[2]

He was the eldest son of Charles Sharpe of Hoddam Castle, Cummertrees, Dumfriesshire and Eleanor née Renton of Lamberton.[2]

Military career

Sharpe received his first commission as a cornet in the 16th Light Dragoons in February 1791. He rose to the rank of lieutenant two years later. In 1795, he was promoted to captain in the 28th (Duke of York's Own) Light Dragoons. He rose to be a major in 1796 and lieutenant colonel in 1799.[3] Having served in campaigns in Flanders and Holland, the 28th Light Dragoons were disbanded in 1802, and Sharpe was placed on half pay.[2] He returned to active service in December 1803 when he was appointed to the general staff as an inspector of yeomanry and volunteer corps.[4] In 1809, he was promoted to the rank of major general, and in 1825, to lieutenant general.[2][5][6] Following his retirement, he was awarded the brevet rank of general in 1841.[7]

Parliamentary career

Following the passing of the Great Reform Act, Sharpe was elected to the House of Commons as Member of Parliament (MP) for Dumfries Burghs at the 1832 general election.[1][8] He was described as "a Whig of extremely liberal politics".[2] He was re-elected in 1835 and 1837.[9][10]

Death

Sharpe died at his residence in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire on 2 July 1845.[11] He was buried in the graveyard of Hoddom Parish Church.[12]

References
  1. Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "D" (part 4)
  2. Notes and Queries Volume 6. 1920. p. 99. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  3. "No. 15166". The London Gazette. 6 August 1799. p. 785.
  4. "No. 15653". The London Gazette. 6 December 1803. p. 1719.
  5. "No. 16308". The London Gazette. 21 October 1809. p. 1667.
  6. "No. 18141". The London Gazette. 28 May 1825. p. 925.
  7. "No. 20044". The London Gazette. 24 November 1841. p. 3007.
  8. "No. 19008". The London Gazette. 28 December 1832. p. 2837.
  9. "No. 19233". The London Gazette. 27 January 1835. p. 148.
  10. "No. 19527". The London Gazette. 28 July 1837. p. 1979.
  11. "Births, Deaths, Marriages and Obituaries". Glasgow Herald. 17 February 1845.
  12. Transactions and journal of the proceedings of the Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Volume 9, No.12. Dumfries. 1894. p. 148. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Lord William Robert Keith Douglas		 Member of Parliament for Dumfries Burghs
1832 – 1841		 Succeeded by
William Ewart


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