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Sir Edward Turner, 2nd Baronet

Sir
Edward Turner
2nd Baronet
MP for Great Bedwyn
In office
1741–1747
Monarch George II
Prime Minister Robert Walpole
The Earl of Wilmington,
Henry Pelham
MP for Oxfordshire
In office
1754–1761
Monarch George II
Prime Minister The Duke of Newcastle,
The Duke of Devonshire
MP for Penryn
In office
1761–1766
Monarch George III
Prime Minister The Duke of Devonshire,
The Earl of Bute,
George Grenville,
The Marquess of Rockingham
Preceded by John Plumptre
Succeeded by Francis Basset
Personal details
Born 1719
Died 1766
Nationality British
Political party Whig
Spouse(s) Cassandra Leigh
Alma mater Balliol College, Oxford

Sir Edward Turner, 2nd Baronet (1719–1766) was one of the Turner baronets of Ambrosden and a Member of Parliament.

Turner was the son of Sir Edward Turner, 1st Baronet and his wife Mary. He received his early education at Bicester Grammar School. He went on to Balliol College, Oxford where he was noted for his "distinguished scholarship and the regularity of his behaviour". He married Cassandra Leigh, niece of the Master of Balliol. He became 2nd Baronet on the death of his father in 1735. Turner died in 1766 and was succeeded in the baronetcy by his son Sir Gregory Page-Turner, 3rd Baronet.

In about 1740 Turner replaced Ambrosden manor house with a large square country house of eleven bays. His architect was Sanderson Miller, who also designed ornamental buildings in the grounds. A landscaped park 5 miles (8.0 km) in circumference was laid out around the house. The park was ornamented with lakes and statues, and the drive to the house was along a semicircular avenue of trees.

Turner's new house became a meeting-place for politicians and cultivated society. Cassandra's uncle Dr. Leigh and other wits and learned men from the University of Oxford were frequent visitors.

In 1741 Turner built a new road between Ambrosden and Merton, Oxfordshire. He intended to continue it to Oxford but the remainder of the project was never executed. The road was reputed to cost a guinea a yard. The road includes a completely straight stretch of about 1.5 miles (2.4 km). It runs across level ground but its course undulates at regular intervals, apparently intended to help draught animals pull vehicles.


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