Roger Bradshaigh 1675-1747

Sir Roger BRADSHAIGH, 3rd baronet 1675-1747

Bradshaigh's bookplate (British Museum Franks Collection *127)

Biographical Note

Son of Sir Roger Bradshaigh, 2nd bart, of Haigh Hall, Lancashire; he inherited the title and family estates from his father in 1689. He was privately educated and elected MP for Wigan in 1695, a constituency he continued to hold until his death. The estate was heavily in debt when he inherited it, and the account of his parliamentary career in the History of Parliament is dominated by a series of expediencies to obtain money, and reduce financial pressures. He remained ca.£8000 in debt when he died.

Books

Bradshaigh used an engraved armorial bookplate (Franks *127). The extent of his library is not known; his brief will has no mention of books, and specified that his personal estate be sold to settle debts. The will was administered by one of his creditors, while the title was inherited by his son Roger.

Sources

• Will of Sir Roger Bradshaigh, The National Archives PROB 11/756/183.
• 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.