Sunday 10 January 2010

The Natural Baronet

How can I put this - phrase this - in a nice way? Sir Richard Wallace, 1st and last baronet, was the natural offspring of the 4th Marquess of Hertford. Despite Sir Richard's elevation to the ranks of the gentry with a baronetcy, his status as Lord Hertford's illegitimate son probably remained a stigma to him throughout his life, given Victorian rectitude.

Sir Richard inherited an absolute fortune, unimaginable to many nowadays, let alone in 1871.

He inherited his father's estates in County Antrim, around Lisburn, for instance, making him one of the largest landowners in the Province, with 58,365 acres.

Next week, I intend to visit the Wallace Collection, at his former London home, Hertford House in Manchester Square. I've never been there before: Have any readers visited the Collection?

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