John Proctor Anderdon facts for kids
John Proctor Anderdon (born 1760, died 1846) was an important English businessman and art collector. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a group of top scientists and thinkers.
A Busy Life
John Proctor Anderdon came from a family in Somerset, England. He became a successful merchant in London. A merchant is someone who buys and sells goods, often in large amounts. He also became a banker, which means he worked with money, loans, and investments.
In 1794, he joined a business partnership called Manning & Anderdon. He later brought in another partner, Charles Bosanquet. John Anderdon retired from his business in 1816.
He owned large homes in England, including Henlade Hall in Somerset and Beech House in Hampshire. In 1812, he tried to become a Member of Parliament for the Totnes area, but he didn't win. In Hampshire, he was known for being a kind person who helped others. He even helped build school rooms for children.
In the 1830s, John Anderdon lived at Farley Hall. After the Slavery Abolition Act 1833 was passed, which made slavery illegal in most British lands, he received money as compensation. This was because he had owned enslaved people on his Seaforths estate in Antigua.
Art Lover and Collector
John Proctor Anderdon loved art and collected many paintings. When he died, an art magazine called The Art Journal wrote about his collection. They said it had been very interesting to art experts for 40 years. Even King George IV had noticed his collection!
In 1818, a detailed list of his paintings at Beech House was published in a book called The Beauties of England and Wales. In 1827, he bought a famous painting called Charity by an artist named Andrea del Sarto. He bought it from a prince in Rome.
After John Anderdon passed away, his art collection was sold off, as he wished in his will. Some of the paintings sold were by famous artists like Aelbert Cuyp and Guercino. A painting by William Collins that showed children on a beach was bought by his son, James Hughes Anderdon.
His large library of books was also sold in 1847.
His Family
John Proctor Anderdon was married twice.
His first wife was Anne Oliver, whom he married in 1785. They had several children, including:
- Thomas Oliver Anderdon (1786–1856)
- James Hughes Anderdon (1790–1879)
- John Lavicount Anderdon (1792–1874)
- Freeman Anderdon
- Lucy, who married Butler Claxton
Anne died in 1811.
In 1812, John Anderdon married his second wife, Mary Hannah Casamajor. Their children included:
- Emma Mary, who married Thomas Campbell Robertson in 1852.
- Hobart Grant Anderdon
- William Manning Anderdon
