Samuel Grimston 1644-1700

Sir Samuel GRIMSTON, 3rd bart 1644-1700

Biographical Note

Son of Sir Harbottle Grimston. Matriculated at Clare College, Cambridge 1663, but did not graduate. Admitted at Lincoln's Inn 1668, called to the Bar 1670. MP for St Albans 1668, a seat he retained for the rest of his life except during the reign of James II. Succeeded his father in the baronetcy, 1685. His parliamentary career is not noted as distinguished and he was noted by contemporaries as less able than his father.

Books

Grimston left the bulk of his estate and considerable wealth to his godson and great-nephew William Luckyn; there is no reference to books in his will. His association with books is known only from his having given books to St Albans Grammar School, for which a woodcut armorial bookplate was made, though the date and size of this benefaction are uncertain.

The armorial stamp added to the spines of Grimson's gift to the School (T. Gale, Opuscula mythologica, 1671, Private Collection)

Characteristic Markings

The books given to the School seem not to have any markings by Grimston, but may have the woodcut plate, and/or a gilt armorial stamp on the spine based on the arms of St Albans.

Sources

• Will of Sir Samuel Grimston, The National Archives PROB 11/460/2.
• History of Parliament.
• Handley, Stuart. "Grimston, Sir Samuel, third baronet (1644–1700), politician." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
• Lee, B. N. British bookplates, 1979, no.20/p.34.