William Dawes 1671-1724

Sir William DAWES, 3rd baronet 1671-1724

Dawes's bookplate (British Museum Franks Collection *175)

Biographical Note

Born near Braintree, Essex, younger son of Sir John Dawes, 1st baronet; he inherited the family baronetcy in 1690 after the death of his brothers. After beginning his university education at St John's College, Oxford he moved to St Catharine's College, Cambridge where he became MA in 1695 (DD 1696), master in 1697 and vice-chancellor of the University 1698-99. He became a chaplain to William III in 1697 and held various ecclesiastical preferments, including a prebend at Worcester Cathedral. He became Bishop of Chester in 1708 and Archbishop of York in 1714. He had an active political career as a supporter of tory causes, and was much involved in legislative and government matters. He published many doctrinal and devotional works.

Books

Dawes used an engraved armorial bookplate, dated 1704 (Franks 8170/*175). Part of his library (we do not know what proportion) was sold by retail sale in London, beginning 13 March 1728; no catalogue survives, but the sale was advertised in several journals.

Sources

• Alston, R. C. Inventory of sale catalogues ... 1676-1800, St Philip, 2010.
• Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903-4.
• Handley, Stuart. "Dawes, Sir William, third baronet (1671–1724), archbishop of York." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.