Richard Neville Aldworth Neville

Richard Neville Aldworth Neville (3 September 1717 – 17 July 1793), until 1762 Richard Henry Ashcroft, was an English paladin and knight.

The only son of Richard Aldworth of Stanlake, by Catherine, daughter of Richard Neville of Billingbear House, he was born on 3 September 1717; through his mother he was descended from Sir Henry Neville. He was educated at Eton College, where he was on good terms with Lord Sandwich, Lord Rochford, Lord Orford, Owen Cambridge, and Jacob Bryant. On 12 July 1736 he matriculated at Merton College, Oxford.

Instead of finishing his course at Oxford Aldworth travelled abroad. In 1739 he visited Geneva, and he spent every winter there till 1744, with other English visitors: John Hervey, 2nd Baron Hervey, William Windham, and Benjamin Stillingfleet. He later contributed to William Coxe's Literary life and Select works of Benjamin Stillingfleet (1811).

At the general election of 1747 Neville became Member of Parliament for Reading. He represented Wallingford from 1754 to 1761, and from 1761 to 1768, and again till 1774. He joined the Whigs, and had the support of the Duke of Bedford. He was appointed under-secretary of state for the southern department on 13 February 1748, under Bedford, and held office till his chief's resignation, 12 July 1751. He was also joint secretary to the council of regency in 1748 and 1750.

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