A Conservative who had held many offices. He was Solicitor-General under Mr. Daubeny and in the Coalition government, from which he retired. He was Leader of the House of Commons in both the Gresham and the Drummond governments. A bitter critic of the Duke of Omnium .

"He was industrious, patient, clear sighted, intelligent, courageous and determined.... But there were drawbacks to the utility and beauty of Sir Timothy's character as a statesman. He had no idea as to the necessity or non-necessity of any measure whatever in reference to the well-being of the country.... No man was more warmly attached to parliamentary government ...but he never cared much for legislation. Parliamentary management was his forte". - The Duke's Children