Thomas Vernon 1654-1721

Thomas VERNON 1654-1721

Vernon's bookplate (British Museum Franks Collection *445)

Biographical Note

Son of Richard Vernon of Hanbury Hall, Worcestershire, a member of a long-established gentry family there, and Jane Carter. He inherited the family estates from his father in 1679. He was admitted at the Middle Temple in 1672, became a barrister in 1679, a bencher in 1703, and established a successful career as a Chancery lawyer. He was MP for Worcestershire, 1715-21.

Books

Vernon used an engraved armorial bookplate, dated 1703 (Franks 30349/*445). The extent of his library is not known; his will has no mention of books, and most of his property passed to a cousin, Bowater Vernon.

Sources

• Will of Thomas Vernon, the National Archives PROB 11/579/64.
• 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.
• Information from Vanessa Wright.