Richard Newport, 2nd Earl of Bradford

Newport entered the English House of Commons in 1670, sitting for Shropshire until 1685.^[4] He represented the constituency again between 1689 and 1698.^[4] In 1704, Newport was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire and in 1708 Custos Rotulorum of Shropshire, serving in these offices until 1712, whereafter both were held concurrently.^[5] Two years later, he was readmitted and exercised it until his death in 1723.^[5]

The latter period, Newport was also Custos Rotulorum of Montgomeryshire, a post he had previously occupied between 1701 and 1711.^[5] A year before he had been sworn of the Privy Council of Great Britain.^[6]

Lord Bradford died aged 78 in Soho Square, London^[7] and was buried at Wroxeter.^[8] On 20 April 1681, he had married Mary Wilbraham, younger daughter of Sir Thomas Wilbraham, 3rd Baronet, and had by her four daughters and four sons.^[2]

He was succeeded in his titles successively by his oldest son Henry and his third son Thomas.^[2] Richard, the second son, was a Member of Parliament and predeceased his father.^[3] Newport's second daughter Anne was married to Sir Orlando Bridgeman, 4th Baronet, and his third daughter Diane to Algernon Coote, 6th Earl of Mountrath.^[2]