John Proctor Anderdon
John Proctor Anderdon | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1760 |
| Died | 1846 |
| Occupation(s) | Merchant, banker, slave owner, art collector |
| Known for | Fellow of the Royal Society, art collection |
John Proctor Anderdon (1760–1846) was a prominent English merchant, banker, slave owner, and art enthusiast. In 1811, he was inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Life
Born to Ferdinando Anderdon and Mary Hobart, John Proctor Anderdon established himself as a London-based merchant. From 1794, he entered into partnership with William Manning in the firm Manning & Anderdon. Additionally, he collaborated with Charles Bosanquet until Bosanquet's departure in 1810. Anderdon withdrew from commercial activities in 1816.
He held ownership of Henlade Hall in Somerset starting in 1805 and acquired Beech House in Hampshire in 1816. During the 1812 general election, he stood unsuccessfully for one of the two parliamentary seats representing Totnes, running alongside George Francis Seymour. His philanthropic contributions in Hampshire were notable, particularly his support for educational facilities.
In the 1830s, Anderdon's residence was at Farley Hall, located in Swallowfield. After the enactment of the Slavery Abolition Act 1833, he received financial restitution related to enslaved individuals on his Seaforths estate situated in Antigua.
Collector
At the time of his passing, The Art Journal remarked that Anderdon's art collection had attracted interest from both amateurs and experts for over four decades. Exhibited across his London and Berkshire homes, the collection was admired by figures such as George IV. An extensive description of his Beech House artwork was published in the 1818 volume of The Beauties of England and Wales.
In 1827, Anderdon purchased Charity by Andrea del Sarto from Prince Rospigliosi of Rome.
According to his testament, Anderdon's artworks were auctioned off posthumously. The initial auction took place in 1847 and featured pieces by artists including Aelbert Cuyp and Guercino. A subsequent, smaller sale occurred in 1851 with a focus primarily on Italian painters. Among his acquisitions was a painting by William Collins, portraying children on a Cromer beach, bought in 1836 and later inherited by his son, James Hughes Anderdon.
His personal library was also sold at auction in 1847. This collection contained significant manuscripts such as correspondence from Anna Maria van Schurman addressed to André Rivet and Constantijn Huygens. These items had originally belonged to the collection of Jona Willem te Water before being obtained by Richard Heber.
Family
In 1785, Anderdon wed Anne Oliver, daughter of Thomas Oliver. Their offspring included:
- Thomas Oliver Anderson (1786–1856), barrister
- James Hughes Anderdon (1790–1879)
- John Lavicount Anderdon (1792–1874), their third son
- Freeman Anderdon
- Lucy, who married Butler Claxton
Following Anne’s death in 1811, Anderdon remarried in 1812 to Mary Hannah Casamajor, daughter of merchant Justinian Casamajor (1746–1820). Their children were:
- Emma Mary, who became the second wife of Thomas Campbell Robertson in 1852
- Hobart Grant Anderdon, who married first Eliza Roose, daughter of Sir David Roose, and subsequently Mary Anne Parry
- William Manning Anderdon