Thomas Pelham, 1st Baron Pelham of Laughton
Bt (1653 – 23 February 1712) was a moderate
English Whig politician and
Member of Parliament for several constituencies. He is best remembered as father of two British prime ministers (
Henry Pelham and the
Duke of Newcastle) who, between them, served for 18 years as first minister. Pelham was born in
Laughton, Sussex, the son of
Sir John Pelham, 3rd Baronet and his wife Lucy Sidney (daughter of
Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester). Pelham was educated at
Tonbridge School and
Christ Church, Oxford. He sat for
East Grinstead from October 1678 until August 1679. In October 1679 he was returned for
Lewes, serving until 1702 (when he was returned for both Lewes and
Sussex); he subsequently chose to sit for Sussex, a seat he held until 1705.