Richard Newdigate 1668-1727

Sir Richard NEWDIGATE, 2nd baronet 1644-1710

Biographical Note

Of Arbury Hall, Warwickshire. Admitted to Gray’s Inn in 1654. Matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford in 1661 but did not graduate. He was dismissed from the magistrates’ bench and from his role as gentleman of the privy chamber in 1679 as he faced growing criticism following his attempt to enter the war against France in 1678. MP for Warickshire 1681, 1689. He was restored to the bench in 1689 and proved ‘an active and loyal magistrate to William III’ (ODNB). He was a mining entrepreneur, responsible for the ‘pioneering’ use of gunpowder blasting (ODNB).

Characteristic Markings

Newdigate used an engraved armorial bookplate (Franks 21722/*371), dated 1709; the extent and disposition of his library is not known. His will has no specific mention of books; the residue of his estate was left to his wife and brother in law, as executors.

Sources

• Will of Sir Richard Newdigate, The National Archives PROB 11/521/333.
• Larminie, Vivienne. "Newdigate, Sir Richard, second baronet (1644–1710), landowner and mining entrepreneur." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
• Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903.