Thomas Micklethwaite 1678-1718

Thomas MICKLETHWAITE or MICKLETHWAIT 1678-1718

Biographical Note

Son of Joseph Micklethwaite of Swine, Yorkshire, gentleman, and Constantine (Middleton). Matriculated at Jesus College, Cambridge 1695, but did not graduate. Supported by the patronage of his relation Anthony Ashley Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury, he was appointed treasurer to the commissioners of transport in 1708, and held other government offices thereafter; he was MP for Arundel 1715-18. In 1713 he inherited estates in London and elsewhere from Sir John Cropley, 2nd bart.

Books

Micklethwaite used engraved armorial bookplates: Franks *459 (dated 1704); *399 (a smaller plate); 20473. The latter was the work of Simon Gribelin, with whom Mickelthwaite came into contact as an agent for Shaftesbury, and who played in an important role in the design of the second edition of the latter's Characteristicks.

The extent and disposition of his library is not known. His will has no specific mention of books; after various monetary bequests, he left the bulk of his estate in trust for his brother Joseph.

Sources

• Will of Thomas Micklethwaite, The National ArchivesPROB 11/564/178.
• History of Parliament.
• Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903.
• Rand, B., ed. The Life and Unpublished Letters . . . of Anthony, Earl of Shaftesbury. London and New York, 1900.