author
Beriah Botfield
1807–1863
A Conservative MP, industrialist, and passionate collector, he brought together politics, natural history, archaeology, and rare books. His wide-ranging interests earned him recognition as a bibliographer, geologist, botanist, and Fellow of the Royal Society.
1 Audiobook
Notes on the cathedral libraries of England
by Beriah Botfield
About the author
Born on 5 March 1807 in Earl's Ditton, Shropshire, Beriah Botfield inherited a family business involved in coal mining and ironmaking. Educated at Harrow School and Christ Church, Oxford, he later became High Sheriff of Northamptonshire and represented Ludlow in Parliament, first from 1840 to 1847 and again from 1857 until his death.
Botfield was known for his broad intellectual interests and extensive collections. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1839, served as president of the British Archaeological Association, and published works including Notes on Cathedral Libraries. He also collected minerals, birds, paintings, and early printed books, and died in London on 7 August 1863.