William Praed

William Praed (24 June 1747 – 9 October 1833)[1][2] was an English businessman, banker, and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1774 to 1808.

He was the oldest son of Humphrey Mackworth Praed (c. 1718–1803) of the manor of Trevethoe, near St Ives in Cornwall.

He won the resulting by-election, and thereafter spent enough money to secure control of the borough until 1802, when he sold one of the seats.

Having already built a new country seat at Tyringham Hall in Buckinghamshire, he sold Trevethoe manor, and his interest in Cornwall waned.

[4] Praed's business interests were a higher priority than parliamentary affairs, and he was particularly focused on the Grand Junction Canal, of which he was chairman.