Nathaniel Wraxall facts for kids
Sir Nathaniel William Wraxall, 1st Baronet (born April 8, 1751 – died November 7, 1831) was an English writer and politician. He was known for his interesting books about his travels and the important people he met. He also served as a member of the British Parliament.
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The Early Life of Nathaniel Wraxall
Nathaniel Wraxall was born in Queen Square, Bristol. His father, also named Nathaniel Wraxall, was a merchant. His mother, Anne, was the great-niece of Sir James Thornhill, a famous painter.
In 1769, when he was 18, Wraxall started working for the East India Company. This was a very powerful British company that traded with India and other parts of Asia. He worked as a legal officer and managed payments during expeditions in Gujarat and Bharuch in 1771.
The next year, in 1772, he left the company and returned to Europe.
Wraxall's European Adventures
Nathaniel Wraxall loved to travel. He visited Portugal and even met the royal family there. He wrote about his experiences in his book, Historical Memoirs.
In northern Europe, he met several Danish nobles. These nobles had been sent away from their country because they supported the former Queen Caroline Matilda. She was the sister of the British king, George III. Wraxall decided to try and help Queen Caroline Matilda.
He managed to meet her at Celle Castle in September 1774. He worked hard to try and persuade King George III to help her. However, Queen Caroline Matilda died on May 11, 1775, so his plans could not be completed.
In 1775, Wraxall published his first book, Cursory Remarks made in a Tour through some of the Northern Parts of Europe. This book became very popular and was later renamed A Tour Round the Baltic.
He traveled again in 1777, visiting Germany and Italy. Because he had gained the support of important people, he received a special military commission from the king. This allowed him to wear a uniform, even though he never actually served in the military.
He also published Memoirs of the Kings of France of the Race of Valois. This book included details from his travels in France. In 1778, he went on more travels to Germany and Italy. During these trips, he gathered information for another book, Memoirs of the Courts of Berlin, Dresden, Warsaw and Vienna, which was published in 1799.
Wraxall's Time in Politics
In 1780, Nathaniel Wraxall became a member of the British Parliament. He represented different areas over the years.
He was first elected from Hindon in Wiltshire. Later, on April 3, 1784, he was elected from Ludgershall. On June 16, 1790, he was elected to represent Wallingford. He continued to support the politician William Pitt during this time.
In March 1794, Wraxall lost his seat in Parliament in a special election.
After leaving Parliament, Wraxall immediately began working on a history book about France. He started writing A History of France from the Accession of Henry III to the Death of Louis XIV, but he never finished it.
Later Life and Legacy
Not much is known about Wraxall's final years. However, in 1813, the Prince Regent (who later became King George IV) made him a baronet. This was an honor that gave him the title "Sir."
His important book, Historical Memoirs, was published in 1815. He then moved to Wraxall House, near Cheltenham. Both his Historical Memoirs and his Posthumous Memoirs (published after his death in 1836) are still considered valuable historical accounts.
Sir Nathaniel William Wraxall died suddenly in Dover on November 7, 1831. He was traveling to Naples at the time.
Family Life
Nathaniel Wraxall married Miss Jane Lascelles in 1789. They had two sons.
His sons were Lieutenant-colonel William Lascelles Wraxall (1791–1863), who became the second baronet, and Lieutenant Charles Edward Wraxall (1792–1854). Charles Edward Wraxall was the father of Sir Frederic Charles Lascelles Wraxall (1828–1865), who was also a writer.
