William Beckford
English slaver, art collector, and novelist (1760-1844) · Writers · Died at 83
William Thomas Beckford was a British writer and politician. He was reputed at one stage to be England's richest commoner. Beckford was the son of William Beckford and Maria Hamilton, the daughter of George Hamilton. He served as a Member of Parliament for Wells in 1784-1790 and Hindon in 1790-1795 and 1806-1820.
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William Beckford's Grand Tour through Europe, shown in red
The Fonthill vase, of Chinese Jingdezhen porcelain but adorned with metallic mounts in Europe, was the earliest piece of Chinese porcelain documented to reach Europe, in 1338. It was once in the possession of William Beckford. It is now in the National Museum of Ireland.
The Rubens Vase
Fonthill Abbey designed for William Beckford by the architect James Wyatt. Print from John Rutter's Delineations of Fonthill and its Abbey (1823).
Beckford's tomb with the tower in the background
Willis Maddox, William Beckford on his DeathbedAbout this person
Beckford is best known for writing the 1786 Gothic novel Vathek, for building Fonthill Abbey in Wiltshire and Beckford's Tower in Bath, and for his extensive art collection.
