Peter Holford facts for kids
Peter Holford (born around 1720, died 1804) was an important English lawyer. He worked as a master in chancery starting in 1750. This was a special legal job helping the Lord Chancellor with legal cases. He was also a member of the Royal Society, a famous group for scientists and thinkers.
Holford Family Background
Peter Holford was the oldest son of Robert Holford and Sarah Vandeput. His grandfather, Sir Richard Holford, was also a master in chancery. The Holford family were well-known lawyers and owned a lot of land.
Sir Richard Holford, who died in 1719, left behind a large fortune. The family owned important estates, like the Westonbirt estate in Gloucestershire. This estate became part of the family's property when Sir Richard first got married. Peter's father, Robert Holford, continued to manage and develop the family's land in the 1700s.
The Holford family became very wealthy. This happened because they combined owning land with having successful and well-paying careers in law.
Peter Holford's Life and Career
Peter Holford went to Westminster School and then studied at St John's College, Cambridge in 1736. He began his legal training at Lincoln's Inn in 1735. By 1740, he officially became a lawyer. In 1750, he took over his father's job as a master in chancery.
In 1747, Holford was chosen to join the Royal Society. This group included many important thinkers and scientists of the time. He was part of a special dining club within the society. This club met in London and included many doctors and famous scientists like Henry Cavendish.
In 1753, Holford became the Governor of the New River Company. His father had held this position before him. The New River Company was very important because it supplied fresh water to London. As London grew bigger and more industries developed in the late 1700s, the company became very successful and made a lot of money.
In 1770, Holford helped lay the first stone for the company's new offices. These offices were built in Fleet Street, on the site of an old theater. When Peter Holford died in 1804, his obituary (a notice about his death) said he had been Governor until recently. It also mentioned that he had died "immensely rich," meaning he was very wealthy.
Peter Holford's Family
Peter Holford married Anne Nutt, who was the daughter of William Nutt. They had two sons and two daughters:
- Robert Holford, who never married and died in 1838.
- George Peter Holford, who later became the father of Robert Stayner Holford.
- Sarah, who married Sir Charles Grave Hudson, 1st Baronet.
- Charlotte, who married Charles Bosanquet in 1796.
