Thomas Brotherton ca.1656-1702

Thomas BROTHERTON ca.1656-1702

Biographical Note

Son of John Brotherton of the Hey, Newton, Lancashire, a gentry family settled there since at least the 16th century. Matriculated at Jesus College, Cambridge 1677, but did not graduate; entered Gray's Inn 1676, called to the Bar 1683. MP for Liverpool 1694-95, for Newton 1695-1701, where he was active as a Tory in debates, on committees and in drafting legislation.

Books

Brotherton is listed in Edward Bernard's Catalogi manuscriptorum, 1697, as owning 12 manuscripts, mostly 16th and 17th century compilations on legal and constitutional matters. In his will, Brotherton bequeathed "all my study of books both in town and country", together with two pictures (portraits of himself and his wife) to his son Thomas during his life, and that afterwards "all my said books shall be and remain as heirlooms and go along with my manor house Hey into whose hands soever it shall come"; it is not known how long the collection remained together in line with this wish.

Characteristic Markings

None of Brotherton's books have been identified.

Sources

• Will of Thomas Brotherton, The National Archives PROB 11/481/113.
• History of Parliament.
• Venn, J. & J. A. Alumni Cantabrigienses. Cambridge, 1922.