Peter Beckford (hunter)
Encyclopedia
Sir Peter Beckford was one of 18th-century English peerage; he was a huntsman, a writer and the patron of the well-known Classical composer, pianist Muzio Clementi
. Sir Peter Beckford was a nephew of the Lord Mayor of the City of London William Beckford
and the cousin of the English novelist William Thomas Beckford
(1760-1844) who is the author of the famous Gothic novel Vathek
and builder of the remarkable folly Fonthill Abbey
.
In 1766, Sir Peter Beckford visited Rome. He was impressed by the young Muzio Clementi's musical talent. He persuaded Clementi's father and negotiated with him to take Clementi to his estate of Steepleton Iwerne, just north of Blandford Forum in Dorset
, England
for seven years. Beckford agreed to provide quarterly payments to sponsor Muzio's musical education until the boy reached the age of 21. (Peter Beckford, as he himself claimed, “bought Clementi from his father for a period of seven years”.)
On 22 March 1773, Sir Peter Beckford married Hon. Louisa Pitt (1754–1791), who is the daughter of the British diplomat and politician George Pitt, 1st Baron Rivers
(1721 –1803) and Penelope Atkins.
Sir Peter Beckford was Member of Parliament
(MP) for Morpeth
1768.
Child of Peter Beckford and Hon. Louisa Pitt:
Horace William Pitt-Rivers, 3rd Baron Rivers of Sudeley Castle (b. 2 Dec 1777)
Muzio Clementi
Muzio Clementi was a celebrated composer, pianist, pedagogue, conductor, music publisher, editor, and piano manufacturer. Born in Italy, he spent most of his life in England. He is best known for his piano sonatas, and his collection of piano studies, Gradus ad Parnassum...
. Sir Peter Beckford was a nephew of the Lord Mayor of the City of London William Beckford
William Beckford (politician)
William Beckford was a well-known political figure in 18th century London, who twice held the office of Lord Mayor of London . His vast wealth came largely from his plantations in Jamaica...
and the cousin of the English novelist William Thomas Beckford
William Thomas Beckford
William Thomas Beckford , usually known as William Beckford, was an English novelist, a profligate and consummately knowledgeable art collector and patron of works of decorative art, a critic, travel writer and sometime politician, reputed to be the richest commoner in England...
(1760-1844) who is the author of the famous Gothic novel Vathek
Vathek
Vathek is a Gothic novel written by William Beckford...
and builder of the remarkable folly Fonthill Abbey
Fonthill Abbey
Fonthill Abbey — also known as Beckford's Folly — was a large Gothic revival country house built around the turn of the 19th century at Fonthill Gifford in Wiltshire, England, at the direction of William Thomas Beckford and architect James Wyatt...
.
In 1766, Sir Peter Beckford visited Rome. He was impressed by the young Muzio Clementi's musical talent. He persuaded Clementi's father and negotiated with him to take Clementi to his estate of Steepleton Iwerne, just north of Blandford Forum in Dorset
Dorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
for seven years. Beckford agreed to provide quarterly payments to sponsor Muzio's musical education until the boy reached the age of 21. (Peter Beckford, as he himself claimed, “bought Clementi from his father for a period of seven years”.)
On 22 March 1773, Sir Peter Beckford married Hon. Louisa Pitt (1754–1791), who is the daughter of the British diplomat and politician George Pitt, 1st Baron Rivers
George Pitt, 1st Baron Rivers
George Pitt, 1st Baron Rivers was a British diplomat and politician.-Background and education:He born in Geneva, the eldest son of George Pitt of Stratfieldsaye, Hampshire and his wife Mary Louise Bernier from Strasbourg. General Sir William Augustus Pitt was his younger brother...
(1721 –1803) and Penelope Atkins.
Sir Peter Beckford was Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
(MP) for Morpeth
Morpeth, Northumberland
Morpeth is the county town of Northumberland, England. It is situated on the River Wansbeck which flows east through the town. The town is from the A1, which bypasses it. Since 1981, it has been the administrative centre of the County of Northumberland. In the 2001 census the town had a population...
1768.
Child of Peter Beckford and Hon. Louisa Pitt:
Horace William Pitt-Rivers, 3rd Baron Rivers of Sudeley Castle (b. 2 Dec 1777)
Writings by Sir Peter Beckford, (1740 - 1811)
- Familiar letters from Italy, to a friend in England (2 Volume)
- Thoughts on hunting : in a series of familiar leters to a friend, 1781
- Thoughts upon hunting, in a series of familiar letters to a friend, 1781
- Thoughts upon Hare and Fox Hunting, in a series of letters to a friend, 1781
- Thoughts on Fox Hunting, published 1791