Hugh Bethell 1689-1747

Hugh BETHELL 1689-1747

Bethell's bookplate (British Museum Franks Collection *211)

Biographical Note

Son of William Bethell of Swindon, Yorkshire, MP; he inherited the family estates from his father in 1699. He was MP for Pontefract 1716-22.

Books

Bethell used an engraved armorial bookplate, dated 1707 (Franks 211). The extent of his library is not known; his will refers to pictures, jewellery, and "my triangular cornelian seal with the head of Socrates ingraved upon it", but has no mention of books, which would have passed with the residue of his estate to his brother Slingsby.

Sources

• Will of Hugh Bethell, The National Archives PROB 11/759/505.
• 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.