John Povey ca.1649-1715

John POVEY ca.1649-1715

Biographical Note

Son of Sir John Povey of Woodseaves, Market Drayton, judge in Ireland. Matriculated at Trinity College, Dublin 1666, but did not graduate; admitted at Gray's Inn 1669 (barrister 1679). With the support of his cousin William Blathwayt he developed a successful career in government administration, becoming clerk to the Privy Council; by the late 1680s he was also involved in colonial administration in America. He was MP for Mitchell, Cornwall 1697-1700.

Books

Povey's will has no reference to books, which would have been part of the "goods and chattells and personal estate whatsoever" which was left to his sons John and Thomas (both minors at the time of his death). His library was sold by retail sale in London, beginning 12.6.1716; no catalogue survives, but the sale was advertised in the Daily Courant as "consisting of very valuable and scarce books in Latin, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and English, in most faculties".

Characteristic Markings

None of Povey's books have been identified.

Sources

• Will of John Povey, The National Archives PROB 11/546/115.
• History of Parliament.
• Alston, R. C., Inventory of sale catalogues ... 1676-1800, St Philip, 2010.