Sir George Carew

Sir George Carew, politician, diplomat and lawyer, was buried in St Margaret's Church Westminster on 14th November 1612, having died the day before of typhus in his house in Tothill Street. But he has no memorial or marker.

He was born around 1556-60, probably at Anthony in Cornwall, second son of Thomas (died 1564) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Richard Edgcumbe. His grandfather was Sir Wymond Carew, who served several of Henry VIII's queens, and his uncle was Sir Matthew Carey, a distinguished lawyer. His brother Richard was a poet and antiquary.

After university he entered the Middle Temple and served as a Member of Parliament, representing St Germans, and Saltash. In 1588 he married Thomasine, daughter of Sir Francis Godolphin (she was later an attendant to Queen Anne of Denmark). He was secretary to the Lord Chancellor and undertook ambassadorial commissions. In 1603 he was knighted by James I. He was nominated as ambassador to France in 1605.

His son Sir Francis (c.1598-1628) was Member of Parliament for Helston and gentleman of the privy chamber to Prince Charles. He died unmarried and was buried in St Margaret's Westminster on 23rd June 1628. Again, he has no memorial. Sir George's daughter Sophia was baptised at that church on 8th February 1610 and daughter Lonyst on 23rd September 1611. He had two other daughters and another son.

Further reading for the family

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography 2004