Edward Nicholas 1662/3-1726

Edward NICHOLAS 1662/3-1726

Biographical Note

First son of Sir John Nicholas and Penelope Compton of West Horsley, Surrey and Gillingham, Dorset. Matriculated at New College, Oxford, 1679. Created DCL 1702. MP for Shaftesbury 1689-1726. Commissioner of the Privy Seal 1711-13. Married Rachel Wyndham.

Books

Nicholas used engraved armorial bookplates: Franks 21787 (dated 1703); 21788 (a smaller plate); 21789 (the larger plate with altered inscription, and dated 1705). Examples (both 1703): Cambridge University Library Hib.3.665.1; Harris Manchester College, Oxford F1695/2(2). The binding of the first of these bears an armorial stamp of Charles II, and was most likely amongst books passed down the family; Nicholas’s grandfather Sir Edward had been the King’s Secretary of State.

Nicholas’s will did not specify books, but did record ‘I owe to Mr. Stokoe a bookbinder [probably Luke Stokoe of London] about five pounds or more’.

Sources

• Will of Edward Nicholas, The National Archives PROB 11/615/246.
• Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903-4.
• History of Parliament.