Nelson & His World

Does anyone have any background information on a George Widdrington or Cook, later Lord Lyttleton, (1787-1856), said to have been a captain in the Royal Navy?

Thanks in advance for any info.

Anna, unless I have this completely wrong, your info seems to relate to two different people:

Samuel Edward Cook, later Widdrington, (1787-1856), was a captain in the Royal Navy and married Alexander Davison's second daughter.

George William Lyttelton, 4th Baron Lyttelton, (31 March 1817–19 April 1876), politician.

Thanks for the info, Tony.

I came across a book of poetry by Lord Lyttleton on ebay and the sales patter said that he was formerly a captain in the Navy, and then named Widrington or Cook. Naturally I was intrigued by a captain-poet and might have made a bid purely out of curiosity; but if the Lord Lyttleton who wrote the poems is not Captain Samuel Cook/Widdrington, I just might think again!

I've just had another look at the patter - the book was published in 1788 and the fourth Lord Lyttleton was born in 1817, so it must have been an earlier Lord Lyttleton who wrote the poems.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1788-POETICAL-Wor ... 19c0e5fa1c

Do you need any Census information ?

Thanks for the offer, Stephen - it might be interesting to work out who's who!

Also, the sales patter says that the poems are by George, Lord Lyttleton, who is supposedly one and the same as Widdrington/Cook; but his name is Samuel Edward. Numerous wires crossed here, methinks!

Anna Am off for a Nelson talk and reception at the Malta Maritime Museum this evening, the talk is being given by Dr Stephanie Jones who has asked me not to participate in a small quiz.!
Hope to attract a few new members to the Forum this evening.

I'll get back to you on the Census material.

Stephen

Anna, I think what the seller is trying to say is that author of the book is Lord Lyttelton (which he can't spell!), that it contains the bookplate of Samuel Edward Widdrington, and that he (the seller) acquired it from the recent sale at Newton Hall, home of the Widdringtons.

This Lord Lyttelton is George Lyttelton, 1st Baron Lyttelton (17 January 1709 – 24 August 1773).

Doh!

What an idiot I am! That's what comes of skim-reading. I'm very busy at the moment, though. Can I blame multi-tasking?

Still, it might be nice to have a book by a poetry-reading captain, if not a poetry-writing one.

I return bravely to this thread - having made such an idiot of myself - to say that I've bought the book owned by Captain Widdrington and wonder if anyone can supply any details about him please.

Here are his orders and decorations in the Newton Hall sale with some biographical info: http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot_ ... ID=5285020

There are other lots of relevance, including a portrait of him (lot 128).

Great stuff, Tony! Many thanks!

All I need now is a portrait of Sam Sutton to make my life complete.

Well, the book has arrived and a very charming volume it is - very small - 5 inches by three, leatherbound, with Captain Widdrington's bookplate and coat of arms - and with an amazingly clear and readable typeface for such a tiny book.

One of the poems is an 'Epitaph on Captain Cornwall, slain off Toulon, MDXLIII.' This event, I assume, took place during the 'War of Jenkins' Ear'. I've done a quick Google to find more on Captain Cornwall, but to no avail. Perhaps someone more adept and/or less pressed for time could add a little to this poem on a forgotten hero. Captain Cornwall's sacrifice clearly made quite a stir at the time since Lord Lyttleton was moved to commemorate in verse that 'all with gen'ral voice agree to pay the tribute of applause to thee.'

Here it is:

'Epitaph on Captain Cornwall, slain off Toulon, MDXLIII.'

'Tho' Britain's Genius hung her drooping head,
And mourn'd her ancient naval glory fled,
On that fam'd day when France combined with Spain
Strove for the wide dominion of the main,
Yet Cornwall! all with gen'ral voice agree
To pay the tribute of applause to thee,
When his bold chief in thickest fight engaged
Unequal war with Spain's proud leader wag'd,
With indignation moved he timely came
To rescue from reproach his country's name;
Success too dearly did his valour crown,
He sav'd his leader's life but lost his own.'

Captain James Cornwall of the Marlborough died in the Battle of Toulon in February 1744 (1743 in the calendar of that time) when both his legs were shot off. He has a memorial in Westminster Abbey. His nephew Lieutenant Frederick Cornwall lost his arm, and was promoted after the battle. This was the infamous Mathews - Lestock affair, hence 'Britain's Genius hung her drooping head, and mourn'd her ancient naval glory fled'.

Here is James Cornwall's entry in Charnock's Biographia navalis: http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=sgMK ... &q&f=false

It seems the poem was first proposed for the inscription on his monument. See bottom left of this page: http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Nvsq ... &q&f=false