Richard Wilkes (antiquarian) facts for kids

Richard Wilkes (born March 16, 1691 – died March 6, 1760) was a smart English doctor and historian. He lived in a town called Willenhall, which was in Staffordshire at that time. His writings about local history were later used by Stebbing Shaw in his big book, History and Antiquities of Staffordshire.

Richard Wilkes's Story

Richard Wilkes was born in Willenhall on March 16, 1691. He was the oldest son of Richard Wilkes and Lucretia Asteley. He went to school in Trentham, Staffordshire and Sutton Coldfield. In March 1710, he started studying at St John's College, Cambridge.

He became good friends with his math teacher, Nicholas Saunderson. Richard earned his first degree in 1714 and a master's degree in 1717. He was chosen as a fellow at St John's College in 1717.

Richard Wilkes first trained to be a church minister. But he decided to become a doctor instead. In February 1720, he started working as a doctor in Wolverhampton. He became very good at his job.

In 1725, he received money from his first wife's family. He then moved to his father's large estate. This estate had about 450 acres of land and a big house called the Old Hall. The Old Hall was later taken down in 1934 to build the Town Hall.

Richard Wilkes helped to rebuild St Giles Church, Willenhall in 1748. He was a church warden there until he passed away. He died at his home on March 6, 1760. He was buried at St Giles Church. A special monument was put up for him there in 1800.

His Family Life

Richard Wilkes was married two times. His first wife was Rachel Manlove. They got married on June 24, 1725. She passed away in 1756.

After Rachel died, he married Frances Wrottesley in October 1756. She was the daughter of Sir John Wrottesley, 4th Baronet. Richard Wilkes did not have any children. His cousin, Thomas Unett, took over his estate after he died.

What Did Richard Wilkes Write?

Richard Wilkes wrote several books. These books shared his knowledge and ideas:

• A Treatise on Dropsy (1730, a new version came out in 1777). Dropsy is an old name for a medical condition where too much fluid builds up in the body.
• A Letter to the Gentlemen, Farmers, and Graziers of the County of Staffordshire on the Treatment of the Distemper now prevalent among Horned Cattle, and its Prevention and Cure (1743). This book gave advice to farmers about how to treat sick cows.
• An Essay on the Smallpox (1747). Smallpox was a very serious disease in the past.

He also started writing a history of Staffordshire. This unfinished work is kept in a special library called the William Salt Library. Another historian, Stebbing Shaw, found it in 1792. Shaw then used Wilkes's notes in his own book, History and Antiquities of Staffordshire.

Richard Wilkes also planned to make a new version of a famous poem called Hudibras by Samuel Butler. He made many notes for this project. He also wrote several letters to Charles Lyttelton, who later became a bishop. These letters are now in the British Museum.

He kept a diary, but it was not meant for everyone to read. The first two parts of his diary still exist today. However, a third part that Stebbing Shaw mentioned is believed to be lost.