Thomas Frankland 1718-1784

Sir Thomas FRANKLAND, 5th baronet 1718-1784

Biographical Note

Younger son of Henry Frankland of Mattersey, Nottinghamshire; the family were heavily involved in maritime mercantile affairs and the East India Company. Thomas entered the Navy in 1731, became a lieutenant in 1737, and a captain in 1740; for the next 20 years he spent much of his time in naval exploits in the West Indies. By 1760 he had been promoted to admiral. He was MP for Thirsk 1747-80, and again from 1784; he inherited the family baronetcy in 1767 and held property in Yorkshire and London.

Books

Frankland used an engraved armorial bookplate, made ca.1740, on which he described himself as Captain (Franks 11219). The extent of his library is not known; there is no mention of books in his will,and he directed his executors to sell the residue of his estate to be divided among his surviving children.

Sources

• Will of Sir Thomas Frankland, the National Archives PROB 11/1124/203.
• Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903-4.
• Pearsall, A. W. H. "Frankland, Sir Thomas, fifth baronet (1718–1784), naval officer and politician." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.