Francis Brerewood facts for kids

Benedict Leonard Calvert painted by Francis Brerewood at the Calvert home of Woodcote Park, Surrey, around 1726.

Francis Brerewood (born 1694, died 1781) was an English artist. He was a painter, a translator, and also worked as an architect. He was supported by Benedict Calvert, 4th Baron Baltimore, a wealthy patron. Francis Brerewood painted pictures of Lord Baltimore's son, Benedict. He also helped decorate the Calvert family home, Woodcote Park. He faced some financial difficulties later in life and passed away in 1781.

Francis Brerewood's Early Life

Francis Brerewood was born in Chester, England. His father was Thomas Brerewood. Francis was the great-grandson of Sir Robert Brerewood, who was a very rich landowner.

By the time Francis was born, his family's wealth was not as great. His father, Thomas Brerewood, was a businessman. He was involved in some business problems in 1705. These problems were very big for their time. Even so, Thomas Brerewood was pardoned in 1709. This allowed him to rebuild his wealth, which he seemed to do quite well.

Francis and his older brother, Thomas, both received a good education, like gentlemen. In 1716, Francis's sister, Henrietta, married John Rich. He was famous for creating English pantomime shows. In the same year, Francis's brother Thomas married Charlotte Calvert. She was the daughter of the fourth Lord Baltimore, Benedict Calvert, 4th Baron Baltimore. Their wedding was a "Fleet Marriage". This was a quick, unofficial wedding often held in places like the Fleet Prison. It was not announced publicly until the next year.

Francis Brerewood's Artistic Career

Painting of a young girl, thought to be by Francis Brerewood.

Both Francis and his brother Thomas became involved in the arts. Thomas was known as a poet. Francis became known as an artist and architect. Both brothers supported the famous composer George Frideric Handel.

Francis Brerewood received support from the Calvert family. He painted many portraits of important British people. One of his famous paintings is of Benedict Leonard Calvert. This painting can be seen at the Baltimore Museum of Art. Francis also helped decorate the rooms at the Calvert family's home, Woodcote Park, in Surrey.

Francis was also very good at languages. In 1716, he translated a book by Abbe Jean Terrasson from French into English. The book was called A Discourse on Ancient and Modern Learning. Later, he translated another book by the same author, A Critical Dissertation on Homer's Iliad. He published this translation in two parts between 1723 and 1725.

Francis and his brother Thomas were not very good at managing their money. By 1728, Thomas Jr. was having financial problems. Luckily, in 1731, Thomas's wife Charlotte inherited a large piece of land in northern Maryland. It was called My Lady's Manor. The couple gave this land to Thomas Brerewood Sr. This helped him pay off Thomas Jr.'s debts. Thomas Brerewood Sr. sailed to Maryland. He became a successful land manager there. He even started a small town called Charlotte Town. This town is now Monkton, Maryland. In 1741, Thomas Brerewood Sr. became a clerk in Baltimore County. This was a good job, and he held it until he passed away in 1746.

Later Life and Legacy

After his father passed away in 1746, Francis Brerewood faced some legal challenges about his father's estate. He struggled with money for many years.

Francis Brerewood passed away in 1781. He had lived with serious financial difficulties for at least thirty years. In his will, he left what he had left to his wife, Mary.

The Calvert family home, Woodcote Park, was badly damaged by a fire in 1934. However, some of Francis Brerewood's artwork still exists today. A painting believed to be by him, called Portrait of a Young Girl, was put up for sale in London in 2009.