William Lowndes (1652–1724)

[1] Lowndes was returned unopposed as a Member of Parliament for Seaford in Sussex, a "limb" of the Cinque Ports, at the 1695 general election.

His Report containing an essay for the amendment of the silver coins, written during the crisis of 1695, was answered by John Locke, whose views on the reform of the currency prevailed.

Around this period Lowndes was painted twice by Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646–1723), [3] and by contemporary painter Richard Philips (1681–1741) whose portrait is in the collection of the Bank of England.

In recognition of his service, Queen Anne conferred upon him the office of Auditor of the Land Revenue for life, in reversion to his sons, with an augmentation to his coat of arms.

At the 1715 general election Lowndes was returned unopposed as MP for St Mawes in Cornwall in the first Parliament of King George I, but stood unsuccessfully for Westminster in 1722.

Shortly afterwards, he was returned in a by-election on 27 October 1722 as MP for East Looe, also in Cornwall, after that constituency was vacated by Horace Walpole when he decided to stand for Great Yarmouth instead.