Thomas Wharton, 1st Marquess of Wharton

Thomas Wharton was an English landowner and peer who was one of the principal Whig politicians after the Glorious Revolution (1688–89). He was also one of the most famous English rakes.

Wharton was a son of Philip Wharton, 4th Baron Wharton, and from 1673 until he inherited his father’s lands in 1696 he served as Member of Parliament. He secretly corresponded with William of Orange, later William III of England (1689-1702), and was one of the first English peers to join him at Exeter after his landing in England in November 1688. As a reward for his support towards William, Wharton was made comptroller of the household from 1689 to 1702.

He was released from this office by Queen Anne (r. 1702-1714) office because she disapproved of his morals. An example of his lifestyle is seen through one event when he was drunk and had with his brother forced the doors of a parish church in Gloucestershire in the middle of the night, rang the bells, tore up the Bible and 'pissed against a communion table'. Nevertheless, he was created an earl in 1706, and a marquess in 1715 for the services provided to George I (r. 1714-1727).

At the time of his death Wharton was worth around £250,000. In 2010 that would be £3.6bn.