William Duff 1697-1763
From Book Owners Online
William DUFF of Braco, 1697-1763
Biographical Note
William Duff inherited a large fortune from his father, also William Duff (d.1722), a merchant of Banff. He served as an anti-government M.P. for Banffshire from 1727 to 1734 but then stood down in favour of his brother-in-law, a government supporter. He was rewarded with the title of Lord Braco of Kilbryde the following year. He build the substantial Duff House in Banff in 1740 and was created Earl Fife and Viscount Macduff in 1759.
Books
Used an engraved bookplate (Franks 9199): The Right Honble. The Lord Bracco.
This bookplate will date from 1735 or later. A book with this bookplate is recorded in University of Pennsylvania Libraries (GrC Ar466 Eh22 1669).
The extent and disposition of his library is not known.
Sources
- Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903.
- Romney R. Sedgwick, Duff, William (1697-1763), of Braco, Banff, History of Parliament.