William Paston, 2nd Earl of Yarmouth
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Francis Corie
Sir Nevill Catlin
1654
The Earl of Yarmouth | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for Norwich | |
| In office 1678–1683 | |
| Preceded by | Christopher Jay Francis Corie |
| Succeeded by | Robert Paston Sir Nevill Catlin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Paston 1654 |
| Died | 25 December 1732 (aged 77–78) |
| Spouse(s) |
|
| Relations | Sir William Paston, 1st Baronet (grandfather) |
| Children | 4, including Charles Paston, Lord Paston |
| Parent(s) | Robert Paston, 1st Earl of Yarmouth Rebecca Clayton |
| Alma mater | Trinity College, Cambridge |
William Paston, 2nd Earl of Yarmouth FRS (1654 – 25 December 1732) of Oxnead, Norfolk and Turnham Green, Chiswick, Middlesex was a British peer and politician.
Born in 1654, he was the eldest surviving son of six sons and three daughters of Robert Paston, 1st Earl of Yarmouth and his wife, Rebecca, née Clayton and was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. He succeeded his father as 2nd Earl of Yarmouth in 1683, inheriting his estate and Oxnead Hall.[1]
His paternal grandparents were the antiquarian and arts collector Sir William Paston, 1st Baronet of Oxnead and, his first wife, Lady Katherine Bertie (a daughter of the 1st Earl of Lindsey). His maternal grandfather was Sir Jasper Clayton, a haberdasher from London.[2]
Career

Paston was elected as a Tory Member of Parliament for Norwich from 1678. In 1679, when his father was made an earl, William adopted the style of Lord Paston. He continued to represent Norwich until he inherited his father's title.[1]
He converted to Roman Catholicism and in February 1687, James II appointed him Treasurer of the Household. He was also appointed joint Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire and Custos Rotulorum of Wiltshire in 1688.[1]
He reconverted to Anglicanism in 1689, but refused to swear allegiance to William and Mary when they came to the throne that year, subsequently losing all his offices.[1]
Suspected of Jacobitism, he was imprisoned twice, but was admitted to the House of Lords in 1696. He was briefly Vice-Admiral of Norfolk in 1719.[1]
He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1722.[3]