Francis Newport, 1st Earl of Bradford

Francis Newport, 1st Earl of Bradford PC (23 February 1620 – 19 September 1708), styled The Honourable between 1642 and 1651, was an English soldier, courtier and Whig politician.

Born at Wroxeter, he was the eldest son of Richard Newport, 1st Baron Newport and his wife Rachel Leveson, daughter of Sir John Leveson (circa 1555 - 1622) and sister of Sir Richard Leveson (1598–1661). His younger brother was Andrew Newport. In 1651, he succeeded his father as baron. Newport was educated at Christ Church College, Oxford.

He represented Shrewsbury in both the Short Parliament and Long Parliament. A royalist during the English Civil War, he fought in 1644 in the Battle of Oswestry on the side of King Charles I of England and was then imprisoned. After the restoration in 1660, Newport became Custos Rotulorum of Shropshire, fulfilling this office for his lifetime. In the same year, he had been appointed also Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire, but on the command of King James II of England was replaced by George Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys in 1687. After Jeffrey's death and the Glorious Revolution in 1689, Newport was restored as Lord Lieutenant until 1704.

Newport was Comptroller of the Household between 1668 and 1672. Subsequently he was appointed Treasurer of the Household, a post he held a first time until 1686, and three years later again until his death in 1708. Newport was also Cofferer of the Household from 1689 until the death of King William III of England in 1702.

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