Robert Henley ca.1624-1692

Sir Robert HENLEY ca.1624-1692

Biographical Note

Born in London, son of Robert Henley, chief clerk of King’s Bench; younger brother of Sir Andrew Henley (1622-75), q.v. Entered at the Middle Temple 1634, called to the bar 1651. Chief protonotary of King's Bench 1660, JP for Hampshire 1668-80, MP for Andover 1679, for Hampshire 1691-92. He was knighted in 1663 and in the same year purchased his estate at The Grange, Northington, Hampshire.

Books

In his will, Henley bequeathed all his law books to his son Henry, and all his divinity books to his son Robert all the rest of his books were to be equally divided between two other sons, Anthony and John. The extent of his library is not known but a couple of books with his armorial stamp survive. Examples: NAL Clements L2., Glasgow UL BD1-a.3.

Characteristic Markings

The book in the NAL has Henley's armorial stamp on a red goatskin binding, but otherwise is not inscribed. The Glasgow book has an inscription noting it as belonging to Henley's grandson Robert Henley, 1st Earl of Northington (1708-72), suggesting that books remained in the family through subsequent generations.

Bibliography: http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1660-1690/member/henley-sir-robert-1624-92; http://armorial.library.utoronto.ca/stamps/HEN003_s1.