Ralph Freman 1627-1714

Ralph FREMAN 1627-1714

Bookplate of Ralph Freman (British Museum Franks Collection *188)

Biographical Note

Son of Ralph Freman of Aspenden, Hertfordshire, from whom he inherited the family estate in 1665. He was educated at home, partly by Seth Ward who acted as his tutor. MP for Hertfordshire 1685-95; he became a trustee of Ward's charitable fund for Hertfordshire apprentices, and undertook extensive improvements to the house and garden at Aspenden.

Books

The extent of Freman's library is not known, but his History of Parliament biography notes that he "accumulated an extensive library". It passed to his son of the same name (Ralph Freman 1666-1742) who used a series of bookplates (Franks 11367-8/*188).

Sources

• History of Parliament.
• Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903.