RUDGE, John (1669-1740), of Mark Lane, London and Evesham Abbey, Worcs.

Rudge’s father, a London merchant, purchased the manor of Evesham in 1664, sitting for the borough in the 1681 and 1690 Parliaments. Rudge, a leading figure in the city of London, represented Evesham with one short interruption for 35 years. Classed as Whig in 1715, he voted against the Administration in every recorded division of George I’s reign. Under George II his only recorded vote was against the repeal of the Septennial Act in 1734. He lost his seat at the general election that year, and died 22 Mar. 1740.