William Steuart 1643-1726

William STEUART or STEWART 1643-1726

Biographical Note

Son of Colonel William Stewart and Barbara Stewart, probably born in Scotland but raised in Ireland. His appointment as captain in the 1st Foot Guards was followed by a series of promotions within William III’s army, and under Queen Anne he became a lieutenant-general, and subsequently general, privy councillor and colonel of the 9th Foot. He was member of parliament for County Waterford, 1703-1715, and owned considerable land in Ireland. He married 1. Katherine Fitzgerald, Viscountess Grandison; 2. Elizabeth Alston.

Books

His will made no reference to books, which would have passed into the residue of his personal estate split between his wife and his nephew Colonel James Steuart. Empty of its contents, a ‘very large eboney Bookcase curiously inlaid and ornamented with gilt brass and large glass Doors’, from the fore parlour, was the fourth most expensively priced item in the catalogue of contents of his house at Hanover Square, London, sold by Christopher Cock in April 1730. The catalogue also listed walnut bookcases in the ‘tapestry’ room and in the ‘green’, ‘white camblet’ and ‘wrought’ bedchambers.

Characteristic Markings

He had an engraved armorial bookplate dated 1707 (‘The Right Honble. Lietenant Generall William Steuart’): Franks *575.

Sources

• Will of William Steuart, The National Archives, PROB 11/608/365.
• A catalogue of the dwelling-house of the Rt. Honourable General Stuart, (deceas'd). [London, 1730]. [ESTC T222095]
• Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903-4.
• William Steuart (British Army officer), Wikipedia.