Thomas Belasyse 1698-1774

Thomas BELASYSE, 1st Earl Fauconberg 1698-1774

Belasyse's bookplate (British Museum Franks Collection 2063)

Biographical Note

Son of Thomas Belasyse, 3rd Viscount Fauconberg; he inherited the title and family estates in 1718. He made his main home at Newburgh Priory near Coxwold, Yorkshire, where he undertook extensive rebuilding and modernising work. He was brought up a Roman Catholic, in the family tradition, but conversed to the Church of England in 1737. He was a Lord of the Bedchamber 1738-60 and raised to be 1st Earl Fauconberg in 1757.

Books

Belasyse used an anonymous engraved armorial bookplate, with a large blank cartouche below the coat of arms (Franks 2063). The extent of his library is not known; his title and main estates were inherited by his son Henry (1743-1802), 2nd Earl. Examples: three of his books are identified in Leeds University Library catalogue.

Sources

• Landed families of Britain and Ireland.
• Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903-4.