Relhan Collection : 1 These views etc in Cambridgeshire are humbly dedicated to the Right Honourable Philip Yorke, Earl of Hardwicke, Viscount...

Relhan, Richard, 1782-1844

Relhan Collection

<p style='text-align: justify;'><p>Philip, 3rd Earl of Hardwicke (1757-1834), lived at Wimpole Hall, was MP for <a target='_blank' class='externalLink' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambridgeshire_(UK_Parliament_constituency)'>Cambridge</a>1780-1790, <a target='_blank' class='externalLink' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Lieutenant_of_Ireland'>Lord Lieutenant of Ireland</a>1801–1806 (where he was a controversial figure who supported <a target='_blank' class='externalLink' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Emancipation'>Catholic emancipation</a>), and Lord-Lieutenant of Cambs 1790-1834. He was a Trustee of the British Museum, Fellow of the Royal Society and the Society of Antiquaries of London, and is buried in Wimpole church. His 4 sons died before him and 4 daughters married into titled families but could not inherit Wimpole or the earldom. Relhan was clearly hoping for patronage from this cultured earl, to whom Relhan senior had already dedicated his <i>Flora Cantabrigiensis, </i>but was not successful and was probably too shy to apply. In the centre of the Chicheley Chapel in Wimpole church is a sleeping figure of the earl on a tomb by Westmacott Junior, 1844. His wife Elizabeth, d. 1858 aged 95, is also buried here. This magnificent white marble monument shows the Earl in his Garter robes with references to his classical interests, while his shoes and comfortable pillows are of his own period. He displays details of his many honours as well as a symbolic sword and bible. The monument was erected about the time of Relhan’s death, so he would not have seen it.<br /></p></p>