In 1818, in partnership with Mr. Allen, he became a stockbroker at 9 Exchange Buildings, City of London, and engaged in a series of speculations by which in the course of a few years he is said to have realised upwards of 150,000 Pounds.
He unsuccessfully contested St Albans in the Whig interest on 9 June 1821, but was elected and sat for that borough from 1826 to 1830.
He purchased the Morning Chronicle from William Innell Clement in 1834 for £16,500, and sold his interest in the paper on his retirement from parliament in 1847.
On 24 August 1841 he was created a baronet by Lord Melbourne, as a reward for his adherence to the Whig Party, and for his advocacy of a war policy in connection with the Syrian affairs.
[3] He died at his home Fir Grove, near Weybridge, Surrey, on 11 December 1865 and was buried at the family vault in West Norwood Cemetery.Graham, Paul (1995).