He was the eldest son of Admiral
Sir Joshua Rowley, 1st Baronet and educated at
Harrow School from 1774. He succeeded his father the Tendring Hall and the baronetcy in 1790. He joined the British Army and was a lieutenant and captain in the
96th Foot in 1780, transferring to the
3rd Foot Guards from 1782 to 1786. He was afterwards lieutenant-colonel commanding the Suffolk Volunteer Cavalry (in 1798). He was elected MP for the county of
Suffolk, sitting from 1812 to 1830 and was pricked
High Sheriff of Suffolk for 1791–92. He married in 1785, Susanna Edith, the daughter of Admiral
Sir Robert Harland, 1st Baronet, of Sproughton, Suffolk. They had 5 sons and 6 daughters. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Vice-Admiral Sir Joshua Ricketts Rowley, 3rd Baronet. ==References==