Roger Belwood d.1694

From Book Owners Online

Roger BELWOOD d.1694

Biographical Note

Son of Josias Belwood, of Leathley, Yorkshire, and Head Master of Otley School. Not traced in the university lists, but admitted at the Middle Temple 1665. Practised as a barrister in York, where he died; he was appointed a serjeant at law in 1689.

Books

Belwood's will suggests a modest estate, mostly left in trust for the benefit of his daughter Mary, who was under eighteen at the time of his death. He left "my books in my study at York" to John Comins, one of the trustees (a fellow lawyer?). Belwood's library was sold by auction in London by John Bullord, beginning 4 February 1695. The catalogue lists 1600 lots, plus 165 volumes of bound tracts, subdivided into Latin books (488), English (708), Law (269), and (mostly legal) manuscripts (135).

Ownership inscription from Sion College collections (Lambeth Palace Library B65.1/M64)

Characteristic Markings

Two of Belwood's books, each inscribed with his name on the titlepage, have been identified in Sion College Library; his copy of F. Bacon, The historie of ... Henry VII (1622) is in Aberystwyth University Library (RBR DA330.B1 Qto).

Sources

  • Bibliotheca Belwoodiana, [1695], ESTC r5226.
  • Alston, R. C. Inventory of sale catalogues 1676-1800. St Philip, 2010.
  • Beadle, R. Medieval English manuscripts at auction, 1676-c.1700, The Book Collector 53 (2004), 46-63.
  • Venn, J. & J. A. Alumni Cantabrigienses. Cambridge, 1922.
  • Roger Belwood books in Sion College Library.