William Waller ca.1597-1668

Sir William WALLER ca.1597-1668

Biographical Note

Born at Knole House, Kent, son of Sir Thomas Waller, lieutenant of Dover Castle. Matriculated at Magdalen Hall, Oxford 1612, but did not graduate; he spent some years travelling in Europe. He was knighted in 1622 shortly after inheriting a substantial income. After living in London for a while he moved to Winchester in 1638. MP for Andover 1642; he quickly became a leading parliamentarian and commander of forces who achieved numerous military successes against royalist armies. He left the army in 1645 when it was reorganised under Sir Thomas Fairfax, and became increasingly disillusioned and out of favour among the political leadership of the Interregnum. In 1654 he bought Osterley House, Middlesex, where he spent most of his later years. He returned to parliament briefly in 1660 as MP for Westminster, but was largely out of public life after the restoration, and had various disputes with his sons.

Books

Waller's probate inventory includes a library valued at £90; his study contained a table and carpet, three cabinets, a chair and stool, and shelves around the walls.

Characteristic Markings

None of Waller's books have been identified.

Sources

• Will of Sir William Waller, The National Archives PROB 11/330/234.
• Donagan, Barbara. "Waller, Sir William (bap. 1598?, d. 1668), parliamentarian army officer." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
• Purcell, M. The country house library. New Haven & London, 2017, 115.