Joseph Planta (1787–1847)

From Historical Hastings


Joseph Planta was a diplomat of Romani-Swiss descent and born in the British Museum, where his father (also named Joseph) was an official. After studying at Eton, at the age of 15 he was appointed to a post in the Foreign Office. Promotion to the position of Private Secretary for Canning followed in 1807. A number of positions followed, touring Europe as a part of the mission to the allied sovereigns, leading to the signature of the Treaty of Paris in 1814. From 1827 to 1830 he was one of the joint secretaries of the Treasury[1]. Following his marriage to Charlotte Papendick in 1831, he had a daughter, Elizabeth Mary Papendiek Planta.

He was elected as Conservative Member of Parliament for Hastings in 1827 and 1830, defeated in 1835, but then re-elected in 1837, and again in 1841. He was knighted with the Grand Cross of the Hanoverian Guelphic Order (GCH). Planta took the 'Chiltern Hundreds' in 1844[2] as a result of poor health. Planta had his local residence in Fairlight Place[3]

References & Notes

  1. Dictionary of National Biography Vol. 14
  2. Brett Manuscript Histories Vol. 3 Chap. 32
  3. Pigot's Directory 1840