Roger Wilbraham (MP) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Roger Wilbraham
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Detail from Tribuna of the Uffizi (1772–1778) by Johann Zoffany, showing Wilbraham (probably on the left) among a group admiring the statue of the Venus de' Medici
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| Born | 30 December 1743 Nantwich
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| Died | 3 January 1829 London
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| Nationality | British |
| Education | Trinity College, Cambridge |
| Political party | Whig |
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Roger Wilbraham (born 1743 – died 1829) was an important British man who lived a long time ago. He was a Member of Parliament (MP), which means he helped make laws for the country. He also loved books, history, and supported science and art. He had a huge collection of books and even wrote about the way people spoke in his home county, Cheshire.
Contents
Roger Wilbraham's Life
Early Years and Education
Roger Wilbraham was born on December 30, 1743, in a town called Nantwich in England. He had two brothers, George and Thomas. His parents sent him to Trinity College, Cambridge, a famous university.
At Cambridge, Roger studied hard. He earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and later a Master of Arts (MA) degree. By 1767, he became a fellow of the college. This meant he was a senior member of the university.
Travels and Art
After his studies, Roger Wilbraham spent several years traveling abroad. He visited countries like France, Spain, and Italy.
While in Florence, Italy, he is believed to have been included in a famous painting. The artist, Johann Zoffany, painted a large picture called Tribuna of the Uffizi. This painting shows a group of British tourists admiring statues and art. Roger and his younger brother, Thomas, are thought to be in this painting. They are likely among the group looking at the beautiful Venus de' Medici statue.
Joining the Royal Society
Roger Wilbraham was very interested in science. On February 28, 1782, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a special honor for people who have made important contributions to science.
His Time in Politics
Roger Wilbraham wanted to help his country as a politician. In 1784, he tried to become a Member of Parliament for Truro. He didn't win that election.
Later, he ran for a seat in Mitchell. He got the same number of votes as another candidate, but he still didn't get the seat. This area was known as a "rotten borough." This meant that a few people could control who became MP, sometimes even selling the seats.
Two years later, in 1786, Roger was elected as the MP for Helston. He represented his mother's family's interests there. From 1790 to 1796, he was the MP for Bodmin, taking over from his brother George.
During his time in Parliament, Roger Wilbraham gave eight speeches. He also helped with the case against Warren Hastings, a governor from India. Roger also supported other important politicians like Edmund Burke and Charles James Fox.
Later Interests and Hobbies
After 1796, Roger Wilbraham's family stopped supporting his political career. He was not re-elected to Parliament. However, he stayed interested in politics by writing letters to friends.
He spent more time on his hobbies. He loved shooting, collecting books, and gardening. In 1802, he became a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. This group studies old things and history. In 1819, he joined their council. In 1817, he wrote an important paper about the way people spoke in Cheshire. This paper was published by the Society of Antiquaries.
Roger Wilbraham was known as a large, healthy man. He weighed over 20 stone (about 127 kilograms or 280 pounds). When he went shooting, he was famous for wearing a red velvet jacket and a white hat.
He was a good host and enjoyed having guests. People loved to visit him and admire his knowledge and his huge library. His library was full of beautiful leather-bound books.
Roger Wilbraham's Legacy
Roger Wilbraham is remembered for his love of history and his amazing book collection. He collected novels, plays, poetry, and books in Spanish and Italian.
After he passed away in 1829, his books were sold over six days. A list of the books sold is kept at Cambridge University Library. Many of his letters are also stored in important libraries like the Bodleian Library.
