John Berkeley 1650-1712

John BERKELEY, 4th Viscount Fitzhardinge 1650-1712

Berkeley's bookplate (British Museum Franks Collection *102)

Biographical Note

Younger son of Charles Berkeley, 2nd Viscount Fitzhardinge (in the Irish peerage), of Bruton, Somerset; he inherited the title and family estates from his elder brother Maurice in 1690. He entered the army in 1673, becoming a captain in 1675 and a brigadier general in 1690; he was an early supporter of William III, and held various government and local administrative offices thereafter. He was MP for Hindon 1691-95, for New Windsor 1695-1710.

Books

Berkeley used an engraved armorial bookplate (Franks 2313/*102); the extent and disposition of his library are not known. The viscountcy became extinct on his death, as he had no male heirs, and his estate was largely divided between two daughters.

Sources

• History of Parliament.
• Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903-4.