Sir Wilfrid Lawson, 10th Baronet
Encyclopedia
Sir Wilfrid Lawson, 10th Baronet of Isell, MA (Cantab) (1764 – 1806), was a leading Cumberland
landowner. He was one of the Lawson Baronets
.
Sir Wilfrid Lawson was born at Aspatria
in 1764. In 1787, he married Anne, second daughter of John Hartley of Whitehaven
. Lawson was a patron of the fine arts, and according to descriptions of his collection, a man possessed with a keen eye and good judgement. He carried influence, for he entertained Samuel Taylor Coleridge
and other Lake Poets
. Coleridge described him as, "an extremely liberal and good-natured Creature," the owner of a "Kingly mansion at Braighton," who "never lets money stand in the way of his inclinations." His prints alone, cost him a significant sum of money. According to Coleridge he was a shrewd negotiator, "tho’ he would not make a fool of himself by giving an extravagant price, yet he would bid hard." He also owned one of the most elegant and extensive Libraries in the North of England, with particular reference to Natural History
. "In Voyages, Travels, and books of Natural History it is no doubt the first in the island-next to that of Sir Joseph Banks." Lawson was also a Botanist of some repute and took a general interest in collecting rare and curious plants, of which he often exhibited at local Feats and Balls. He was an enthusiastic collector of military
armour
and owned one of the finest collections in England. In 1797, he increased the size of his estate and three years later enlarged the old manor house
, laying out extensive botanical gardens, comprising about 350 acres (141.6 ha). He also created a lake covering about 8 acres (3.2 ha). Although never a politician, Lawson served the public in a number of ways. He became Sheriff
of Cumberland in 1801, and at the time of his death enjoyed the rank of a Major
in the Loyal Cumberland Rangers.
While visiting Buxton
in Derbyshire
on 21 June 1806, he developed an illness and died unexpectedly. Having no issue the Baronetcy expired and the estates passed to his wife's nephew, Thomas Wyberg. Lawson's obituary
gives some indication of his character and life.
The Dowager
Lady Lawson died on 5 December 1811, aged 47 years. Her remains lie in Aspatria Churchyard.
Cumberland
Cumberland is a historic county of North West England, on the border with Scotland, from the 12th century until 1974. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 and now forms part of Cumbria....
landowner. He was one of the Lawson Baronets
Lawson Baronets
There have been six Baronetcies created for persons with the surname of Lawson, two in the Baronetage of England and four in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom...
.
Sir Wilfrid Lawson was born at Aspatria
Aspatria
Aspatria is a small town and civil parish in Cumbria, England, and lies half way between Maryport and Wigton, on the A596. Historically within Cumberland, it is about away from the coast. It is approximately seven miles from the northern boundary of the Lake District, and located to the south east...
in 1764. In 1787, he married Anne, second daughter of John Hartley of Whitehaven
Whitehaven
Whitehaven is a small town and port on the coast of Cumbria, England, which lies equidistant between the county's two largest settlements, Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness, and is served by the Cumbrian Coast Line and the A595 road...
. Lawson was a patron of the fine arts, and according to descriptions of his collection, a man possessed with a keen eye and good judgement. He carried influence, for he entertained Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Samuel Taylor Coleridge was an English poet, Romantic, literary critic and philosopher who, with his friend William Wordsworth, was a founder of the Romantic Movement in England and a member of the Lake Poets. He is probably best known for his poems The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla...
and other Lake Poets
Lake Poets
The Lake Poets are a group of English poets who all lived in the Lake District of England at the turn of the nineteenth century. As a group, they followed no single "school" of thought or literary practice then known, although their works were uniformly disparaged by the Edinburgh Review...
. Coleridge described him as, "an extremely liberal and good-natured Creature," the owner of a "Kingly mansion at Braighton," who "never lets money stand in the way of his inclinations." His prints alone, cost him a significant sum of money. According to Coleridge he was a shrewd negotiator, "tho’ he would not make a fool of himself by giving an extravagant price, yet he would bid hard." He also owned one of the most elegant and extensive Libraries in the North of England, with particular reference to Natural History
Natural History
Natural history is the scientific study of plants or animals.Natural History may also refer to:In science and medicine:* Natural History , Naturalis Historia, a 1st-century work by Pliny the Elder...
. "In Voyages, Travels, and books of Natural History it is no doubt the first in the island-next to that of Sir Joseph Banks." Lawson was also a Botanist of some repute and took a general interest in collecting rare and curious plants, of which he often exhibited at local Feats and Balls. He was an enthusiastic collector of military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
armour
Armour
Armour or armor is protective covering used to prevent damage from being inflicted to an object, individual or a vehicle through use of direct contact weapons or projectiles, usually during combat, or from damage caused by a potentially dangerous environment or action...
and owned one of the finest collections in England. In 1797, he increased the size of his estate and three years later enlarged the old manor house
Manor house
A manor house is a country house that historically formed the administrative centre of a manor, the lowest unit of territorial organisation in the feudal system in Europe. The term is applied to country houses that belonged to the gentry and other grand stately homes...
, laying out extensive botanical gardens, comprising about 350 acres (141.6 ha). He also created a lake covering about 8 acres (3.2 ha). Although never a politician, Lawson served the public in a number of ways. He became Sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
of Cumberland in 1801, and at the time of his death enjoyed the rank of a Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
in the Loyal Cumberland Rangers.
While visiting Buxton
Buxton
Buxton is a spa town in Derbyshire, England. It has the highest elevation of any market town in England. Located close to the county boundary with Cheshire to the west and Staffordshire to the south, Buxton is described as "the gateway to the Peak District National Park"...
in Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
on 21 June 1806, he developed an illness and died unexpectedly. Having no issue the Baronetcy expired and the estates passed to his wife's nephew, Thomas Wyberg. Lawson's obituary
Obituary
An obituary is a news article that reports the recent death of a person, typically along with an account of the person's life and information about the upcoming funeral. In large cities and larger newspapers, obituaries are written only for people considered significant...
gives some indication of his character and life.
-
- The remains of the late Sir Wilfrid Lawson, Bart. of Brayton House, were privately interned at Aspatria, on Thursday last. The death of Sir Wilfrid is universally regretted and indeed not without reason: as he was an estimable character, possessing hospitality, munificence and all the social virtues in a high degree. He was a friend to the poor and - to his honour be it recorded - he distributed weekly a great quantity of potatoes, butchers meat etc., to the poor in the neighbourhood during the scarcity which prevailed a few years ago.
The Dowager
Dowager
A dowager is a widow who holds a title or property, or dower, derived from her deceased husband. As an adjective, "Dowager" usually appears in association with monarchical and aristocratic titles....
Lady Lawson died on 5 December 1811, aged 47 years. Her remains lie in Aspatria Churchyard.