Dep. lt. Dorset 1642 – 44, July 1660–72; sheriff, Dorset 1643, Wilts. Dec. 1646 – Feb. 1648; j.p. Dorset 1643 – ?74, Wilts. 1646 – ?74, Mdx. 1653 – ?59; commr. for assessment, Dorset and Wilts. 1647 – 52, 1657, Jan. 1660–1, Mdx. 1652, Jan. 1660–1, militia, Dorset and Wilts. 1648, 1659, Mar. 1660, administering engagement, Dorset 1650; freeman, Poole 1651, Salisbury 1654; commr. for oyer and terminer, Mdx. 1653 – 54, Western circuit 1654 – 55, July 1660, scandalous ministers, Dorset, Poole and Wilts. 1654; v.-adm. Hants Apr. 1660–1; commr. for sewers, Som. Aug. 1660, highways and sewers, London and Westminster 1662. ld. lt. Dorset 1672 – 74; high steward, Salisbury 1672 – d.; bencher, L. Inn 1673.
Col. of ft. and capt. of horse (royalist) 1643 – 44; gov. Weymouth 1643; field-marshal-gen. Dorset (parliamentary) 1644; brig. 1644; col. of horse Jan. – Nov. 1660; gov. I.o.W. Feb. 1660–1.
Commr. for law reform 1652 – 53; judge of probate 1653 – 54; Councillor of State 14 July 1653 – Dec. 1654, May-Oct. 1659, 2 Jan. – 31 May 1660; commr. for the army (acting) Dec. 1659 – Jan. 1660; PC 31 May 1660 – 19 May 1674, ld. pres. Apr. – Oct. 1679; commr. for trade Nov. 1660–72, plantations Dec. 1660–70; chancellor of Exchequer 1661 – 72; treas. of prizes 1664 – 67; ld. of Treasury 1667 – 72; commr. for union with Scotland 1670; pres. council of trade and plantations 1672 – 74; ld. chancellor 1672–4.
Member, Society of Mines Royal and Mineral and Battery Works 1662, gov. 1663 – d.; asst. R. Adventurers into Africa by 1664 – 71; ld. prop. Carolina 1663 – d.; member, Hudson’s Bay Co. 1668 – 73, dep. gov. 1673 – 74, committee 1674 – 75; sub-gov. Royal Africa Co. 1672 – 74, asst. 1674 – 77; member, Skinners’ Co. 1681–d.
FRS 1663.
Factual information in this biography is based on K. H. D. Haley, The First Earl of Shaftesbury.
COOPER, Sir Anthony Ashley (1621-83)