Stanhope Aspinwall facts for kids
Stanhope Aspinwall was a British diplomat born in Liverpool, England, on July 5, 1713. He passed away on January 17, 1771. His parents were Richard Aspinwall and Elizabeth Stanhope.
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Early Life and Education
Stanhope Aspinwall attended Westminster School, a famous school in London, from 1722 to at least 1725.
Diplomatic Career
Aspinwall's career as a diplomat involved representing Britain in different countries. A diplomat is someone who helps manage relationships between their home country and other nations.
Working in Constantinople
In November 1742, Aspinwall began working at the British Embassy in Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey). This city was then the capital of the Ottoman Empire. An embassy is like an official office for a country's diplomats in another nation.
He served as the 'Chancellor and Secretary' of the British Embassy there. From 1747, he also worked as a Chargé d'affaires. This is a diplomat who temporarily takes charge of an embassy when the main ambassador is away. Aspinwall held this important role until another diplomat, Sir James Porter, arrived.
Assignments in Algiers and France
On August 8, 1752, King George II appointed Stanhope Aspinwall as his agent and consul general in Algiers. A consul general is a diplomat who helps protect the interests of their country's citizens and businesses abroad.
His final job was as secretary to Simon Harcourt, 1st Earl Harcourt, who was the British Ambassador to France. Aspinwall was still in this position when he died in 1771.
Family Life
Stanhope Aspinwall was married to a woman named Magdalena, who was also known as Baptistina. According to his will from 1747, they had two children at that time. One of their daughters, Elizabeth, later married Sir William Neville Hart.
The couple also had two other daughters, Cecilia Frances and Margaret Catherine. They were baptized in St Marylebone Parish Church in London in 1751 and 1754. It is thought that these two daughters were born after Aspinwall left Constantinople. Magdalena survived her husband after he passed away.
Translator and Author
Besides his diplomatic work, Stanhope Aspinwall also enjoyed translating. He translated a play from French into English. The play was called Rodogune, or, The rival brothers, a tragedy written by Pierre Corneille (1606–1684). Aspinwall's translation was published in London in 1765.
