William East ca.1695-1737

William EAST ca.1695-1737

Biographical Note

Son of William East of Kennington, barrister. Matriculated at King's College, Cambridge 1714, but did not graduate; he was admitted at the Middle Temple in the same year. He inherited the Kennington estate from his father in 1726, and also acquired one at Hurley, Berkshire. His wealthy family connections helped him secure the post of commissioner of wine licences in 1719, which he resigned on being elected MP for St Mawes in 1728.

Books

East used an engraved armorial bookplate (Franks 9500). The extent of his library is not known; in his will, he left the contents of his Town House to his wife Anne, "plate books and pictures only excepted", which were to go to his son William, unless he died before the age of 21 (in which case, Anne was to receive it all, with power to dispose of any of it as she thought fit).

Sources

• Will of William East, The National Archives PROB 11/686/191.
• History of Parliament.
• Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903.