Ralph Hare 1623-1672

Sir Ralph HARE, 1st bart 1623-1672

Biographical Note

Son of Sir John Hare of Stow Bardolph, Norfolk, MP for Aylesbury and elsewhere in the 1620s. Matriculated at Magdalen College, Oxford 1638, but did not graduate. Created a baronet 1641; spent much time abroad during the Civil War, but returned during the Interregnum when he was MP for Norfolk in 1654 and 1656. He remained an MP after the Restoration, for King's Lynn in 1660 and again for Norfolk 1661-72, although he seems to be recorded as more active in local than national matters.

Books

Hare's lengthy will has no mention of books, though there is a reference to "pictures boxes cabinets ornaments [and] rarities" within his wife's closet, which she retained; the bulk of the estate passed to his son Sir Thomas, 2nd bart (ca.1658-93). A probate inventory made after Sir Ralph's death notes a "library of books" valued at £20, with an additional "parcel of books" in his wife's closet. This suggests a collection of not more than 400 books, thought to be in a one-bay closet adjacent to his bedchamber. A letter of ca.1663 from Sir Roger Pratt to Sir Horatio Townshend of Raynham makes reference to there being a "library keeper" at Stow Bardolph.

Characteristic Markings

None of Hare's books have been identified.

Sources

• Will of Sir Ralph Hare, The National Archives PROB 11/346/401.
• History of Parliament.
• West, S. An architectural typology for the early modern country house library, 1660-1720, The Library 7th ser 14 (2013), 441-464, p.453.
• West, S. The development of libraries in Norfolk country houses (UEA Ph.D thesis, 2000).