GRIFFITH, John Wynne (1763-1834), of Garn and Plas Newydd, Denb.

Griffith, the seventh of the family seated at Garn, was a country gentleman active in the corporation of Denbigh. In 1806 he encouraged the candidature of Robert Biddulph against his brother-in-law Frederick West, and in 1812 led the Whig faction supporting Biddulph in the contested election.Salopian Jnl. 5 Nov. 1806; see DENBIGH BOROUGHS. Although his efforts were unsuccessful then, he was himself returned unopposed, on the same interest, in 1818. In Parliament he was a staunch supporter of the Whig opposition, but not prominent in debate: though on 25 Feb. 1819 he cited instances of commercial and agricultural distress which he claimed the government was blind to, and which made him unwilling to support the Windsor establishment bill. He voted in favour of burgh reform, 1 Apr. 1819, and of extending the franchise at Penryn, 22 June. He voted steadily against coercive legislation, Nov.-Dec. 1819.

Griffith retired in 1826 and died 20 June 1834. He was a keen botanist, agricultural improver and sportsman, as most of his surviving correspondence with his family attests.T. A. Glenn, Fam. Griffith of Garn and Plasnewydd, 130. That he was a barrister has not been confirmed: confusion with another John Griffith, of the Middle Temple, is likely.