Randolph Knipe d.1759

Sir Randolph KNIPE d.1728

Biographical Note

Knipe was a wealthy Turkey merchant in London, who was an alderman of the City and sheriff in 1714. He married Sarah Letten in 1698 and his will shows that they had several children; in 1727 he bought an estate at Hookfield, Epsom from John Ward. He drowned in a pond at the Epsom property in 1728; a rumour that it was suicide, prompted by accusations of fraud against him, seems to have been unproved either way.

Books

Knipe used an engraved armorial bookplate (Franks 17332). The extent and disposition of his library is not known; his will, which reveals property across London as well as Epsom, has no specific mention of books, which would have been part of his "jewells plate houshold goods and furniture". Most of his property was distributed between his wife and children, though he also made a number of charitable bequests.

Sources

• Will of Sir Randolph Knipe, The National Archives PROB 11/622/410.
• Hookfield - Epsom and Ewell History Explorer.
• Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903.