Charles Cornwallis ca.1675-1722

Charles CORNWALLIS, 4th Baron Cornwallis ca.1675-1722

Biographical Note

Son of Charles Cornwallis, 3rd Baron Cornwallis of Eye, Suffolk, from whom he inherited the title and family estates in 1698. He was educated at Eton and was made LL.D by Cambridge University in 1717. He saw military action in the Netherlands in the 1690s as a captain in the Dragoon Guards, and was MP for Eye 1695-98. He held various administrative positions and was Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, 1698-1703.

Books

Cornwallis used an engraved armorial bookplate, dated 1700 (Franks 6905). The extent of his library is not known; his lengthy will has no mention of books, which would have been part of his "household goods chattels and personal estate" which his widow was directed to sell, after his death, to settle his debts. The title and family estates were inherited by his son Charles, later 1st Earl Cornwallis.

Sources

• Will of Charles Cornwallis, The National Archives PROB 11/583/239.
• History of Parliament.
• Earl Cornwallis, Wikipedia.
• Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 190-4.