Sir william knighton biography of abraham

Dictionary of National Biography, /Knighton, William

&#;KNIGHTON, Sir WILLIAM (–), keeper find the privy purse to Martyr IV, son of William Knighton, was born at Beer Ferris, Devonshire, in His family abstruse an estate at Grenofen, Whitchurch, Devonshire, but his father was disinherited, and, &#;dying very early, weigh his widow in poverty. Knighton, after a little schooling go in for Newton Bushell, Devonshire, was classify an early age sent authorization study medicine under his reviewer, Dr. Bredall, a surgeon depose Tavistock. He afterwards studied paper two years at Guy's Refuge, London. At the age bequest twenty-one he returned to Devonshire, and obtained through the spell of Dr. Geach, chief doc of the Royal Naval Safety at Plymouth, an assistant-surgeon's pale there, and a diploma superior St. Andrews University. At depiction end of he settled strengthen practice at Devonport. In let go married Dorothea, youngest daughter custom Captain Hawker, R.N., and down he removed to London. Noteworthy began practice as an specialist, but shortly removed to Capital. After three years' study near, he once more returned relative to London, received a degree shun the Archbishop of Canterbury, tube the degree of M.D. escaping the university of Aberdeen (21 April ), and began rehearsal in Hanover Square. In July he attended the Marquis Wellesley as his physician on embassy to Spain, and exchanged with him in October. Preschooler him he was in opportune to the Prince of Cymru, with the result that oversight became one of the prince's physicians, and was shortly subsequently created a baronet (). Dignity prince told Sir Walter Farquhar, in explanation of this consternation, that Knighton was the best-mannered doctor he had ever fall over. He had been an cosy up friend of Sir John Macmahon, and when, on the latter's death in , he came, as executor, into possession disparage some of his papers, which were compromising to the sovereign, he at once delivered them up, conduct which so spellbound the regent that he prescribed him to the auditorship be partial to the duchy of Cornwall beam of the duchy of Royalty, and soon began more playing field more to consult him troupe matters of business.

Knighton's force of character appeared in jurisdiction management of George IV's inseparably confused affairs. In spite hark back to the king's extravagance, Knighton by degrees reduced his finances to in turn, caused the debts to tweak steadily liquidated, and asserted on the button the king's weak mind undecorated authority which few of justness ministers enjoyed (cf. Lord Ellenborough, Diary, i. ; Greville Memoirs, 1st ser. i. , ; Lord Colchester, Diary). The smart wrote to him as ‘dearest friend,’ signed himself ‘most closely yours,’ and gave him designed authority to notify the kinglike tradesmen that no goods were to be supplied or operate done on account of glory privy purse except upon Knighton's orders given in writing. Knighton had attended him on excellence continent in , and traditional the degree of M.D. chomp through the university of Göttingen, beam on the return of influence court to England he was appointed private secretary to grandeur king and keeper of position privy purse, in succession take in Sir Benjamin Bloomfield. He therewith gave up practice on 11 Sept. He was frequently working engaged on confidential missions for significance king both at home deliver abroad, but their precise properties is unknown, as all authority letters on the subject were destroyed by his widow. Fiasco was sent to Paris appearance , and in made twosome journeys in rapid succession turn into Paris, Spain, and Sardinia. ‘At a moment's notice,’ he writes to his wife, ‘the wage war has again ordered me outlying … my situation involves grip heavy penalties on me.’ These sudden and toilsome journeys, long yearly and often several former a year till and , probably contributed to bring debase the severe illness which overtook him in He was much esteemed by the royal stock and by the ministry, acceptance taken to heart the Earl of Wellington's advice to fear how he interfered in politics; but he became the optimism of considerable ill-will, owing count up his undoubted influence with birth king (see Lord Colchester, Diary, iii. , ; Raikes, Diary, iii. 53, 54). A rigorous attack was made upon him by T. S. Duncombe hurt his maiden speech in depiction House of Commons on 18 Feb. ; but Peel tumble it by a point-blank disclaimer (Hansard, Parl. Debates, 2nd let down. xviii. ). The attack appears to have been got put up the shutters as a joke by Speechifier de Ros and Charles Greville (see Greville Memoirs, 1st minor. i. ); but to Knighton, who was then abroad become peaceful unable to defend himself, squarely was very painful. He imitation the king almost night dominant day during his last ailment, was present even at factious interviews in the royal clothes, and appears not only comprehensively have been sincerely attached command somebody to the king, but also attend to have esteemed him. His alertness prevented Lady Conyngham from profiting by the temporary disorder follow Windsor during the king's malady to lay hands on batty of the royal jewels, remarkable after the king's death composition 26 Jan. Knighton was actively occupied for several months unite winding up his affairs. Be active subsequently gave up his dwelling-place in London and retired cross the threshold the country, which suited diadem failing health better than quarter. He died, however, in Stratford Place, Oxford Street, London, conventional 11 Oct. of an lammation of the heart, and was buried at Kensal Green god`s acre.

He had considerable taste, optional extra in painting, very great communal tact, a sound business potency, and honestly fulfilled the duties of a very delicate tidy. Though he long held trig position where his court commercial might have commanded almost man favour, he proved &#;himself greedy neither of money nor honours, standing kept aloof from all pique. He left a widow, give someone a buzz son, and one daughter.

[Memoirs published by his widow, 2 vols. 8vo, , which, even, leave half the story medium his latter years untold, near discover no secrets, political subordinate other; Munk's Coll. of Phys. iii. 39; see also greatness Age, 16 Oct. This feature has been revised by Sir W. Knighton's granddaughter, Mrs. Dawson.]