James West (antiquary)

James West PRS (2 May 1703 – 2 July 1772) was a British politician and antiquary, who served as President of the Royal Society between 1768 and 1772.

West was educated at Balliol College, Oxford. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1726, and acted as the society's treasurer from 1736 to 1768. He served as President of the Royal Society from 1768 until his death in 1772.

He was elected as MP for St Albans at the 1741 general election. In 1768 he became the member for Boroughbridge, Yorkshire which he served until 1772. West served twice as junior Secretary to the Treasury and twice as senior Secretary to the Treasury.

James West the younger (1742-1795) was the only son of West and his wife, Sarah Steavens (died 1799).

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