Sir Edward TURNOR or TURNER ca.1617-1676

Biographical Note

Son of Arthur Turnor of Little Parndon, Essex and the Middle Temple. Matriculated Queen's College, Oxford 1632. Admitted at the Middle Temple 1633. Called to the bar 1640. Turner held many public offices, including JP of Essex, chairman of the committee of elections and privileges, attorney-general to the Duke of York 1660-1670, chief baron of the Exchequer, and Speaker of the House of Commons 1661-1671. He was described by advertisements for the sale as 'late of Hallingbury in the County of Essex, one of the Barons of the Exchequer, and Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons in the Reign of King Charles II'.

Books

Turner's library was sold by retail sale in London from 26 April 1722, alongside that of Sir Jonathan Trelawney. Advertisements in the Post Boy and other newspapers describe the sale items as 'a large Collection of the most scarce and curious Books, relating to the History, Antiquities, Constitution and Parliamentary y Proceedings of Great Britain and Ireland; as also Architecture, Medals, Husbandry, Trade, &c.', and a list of a selection of the most valuable titles is provided. It is noteworthy that the sale took place the year after the death of Turner's son, Edward.

Sources

  • Alston, R. C. Inventory of sale catalogues ... 1676-1800, St Philip, 2010.
  • History of Parliament
  • Bibliotheca viri clarissimi D. Edvardi Turner, Equit. Aur. Being a catalogue of the library of Sir Edward Turner, ... Likewise part of the library of Sir Jonathan Trelawney..., [London, 1722], ESTC T27567.

Gentry