Thomas Webster 1676-1751

Sir Thomas WEBSTER, 1st baronet 1676-1751

Webster's bookplate (British Museum Franks Collection *157)

Biographical Note

Son of Sir Godfrey Webster, merchant, of Fenchurch Street, London. He was admitted at the Middle Temple in 1697, and was MP for Colchester, 1705-27. He was a member of the Levant Company and a Director of the East India Company; he was made a baronet in 1703, and held various local administrative offices. His father accumulated great wealth by supplying clothing to the army, and he was able to buy estates in Essex and Sussex (Battle Abbey).

Books

Webster used an engraved armorial bookplate, dated 1705 (Franks 31212/*157). The extent of his library is not known; in his will, he bequeathed all his goods and chattels, along with his estates, to his eldest son Whistler.

Sources

• Will of Sir Thomas Webster, the National Archives PROB 11/789/338.
• History of Parliament.
• Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903-4.