biography text
St. John was returned for Wootton Bassett on his nephew the 3rd Viscount Bolingbroke’s interest in 1802, 18 years after retiring from the family representation there. He had been his nephew’s agent for the borough during his absence abroad and was merely acting as a stopgap. He vacated soon after Parliament met. Neither in the House nor in the army had he distinguished himself. In 1797 the King was informed that he was not fit for a military government, which was his ambition. Lord Glenbervie described him as ‘General Henry St. John of stupid memory and repute’. He died 4 Apr. 1818.1Geo. III Corresp. ii. 1657; Glenbervie Diaries, i. 217.