Sir Thomas Stanhope (c. 1540 – 3 August 1596) was the son and heir of Sir Michael Stanhope, and a Member of Parliament for Nottinghamshire.

Family

Thomas Stanhope was the eldest son of Sir Michael Stanhope and Anne Rawson (c.1515 – 20 February 1588), the daughter of Nicholas Rawson, of Aveley, Essex, and Beatrix Cooke (d. 14 January 1554), daughter of Sir Philip Cooke (d. 7 December 1503) and Elizabeth Belknap (died c. 6 March 1504), He had six brothers and four sisters, as recorded in the inscription on his mother's monument in Shelford church:

Career

Stanhope was twelve years old when his father was executed in 1552. He lived at Shelford Priory Nottinghamshire. In 1562 he was appointed Sheriff of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and in 1574 and 1587 High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire. In 1586 and 1593 he was elected knight of the shire (MP) for Nottinghamshire. He was knighted in 1575. In 1596 he died in debt, partly caused by the cost of rebuilding Shelford Priory.

Marriage and issue

Stanhope married Margaret Port, the daughter of Sir John Port of Etwall and Cubley, Derbyshire, by Elizabeth Gifford. Children: