John Dunning (1731-1783) was the younger son of John Dunning, a Devon attorney. He studied law and was called to the bar. He was MP for Calne in Wiltshire, and in 1768 was appointed Solicitor-General in the Duke of Grafton’s administration. He was a member of Lord Rockingham’s cabinet, and in 1782 was created Baron Ashburton and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. He married Elizabeth Baring (whose brothers Francis and John founded Barings Bank) and they had two sons. Dunning died at Exmouth and was buried at Ashburton, the place where he was born.