Open Collections

[Bookplate for John Leveson Gower]

This heraldic bookplate consists of a escutcheon, divided per cross or quarterly. Quarters one and four are argent (silver) with bars, gules (red) and charged with a cross patonce, sable (black). Quarters two and three are azure (blue) charged with leaves, two over one. The escutcheon is charged with an inescutcheon, argent, charged with a human hand, gules, at centre, which is a symbol of knighthood or baronet. Upon the escutcheon is a grated helmet positioned three-quartered, indicating peer (duke, baron, marquess, earl) status. Upon the helmet is a crest of a mountain lion or wolf, upon a straight wreath. The escutcheon is surrounded by elaborate mantling, and beneath the escutcheon is the bookplate text within an embellished border.

Heraldry

Gower, John Leveson

Still Image

Possibly belonging to the Sir John Leveson-Gower (1694-1754). Son of Sir John Leveson-Gower, 1st Baron Gower and Lady Catherine Manners. He was created Viscount Trentham and Earl Gower on July 8, 1746. In 1739, Gower was a founding Governor of Foundling Hospital in London and was one of the first Tories to enter government. A noted politician, was recognized as a leader of the tories in the Lords, and served as lord justice in 1740. His father, Sir John Leveson-Gower, 1st Baron Gower, however, is another likely candidate for owner of this bookplate. He was born January 7th at Trentham Hall in Staffordshire, and his principle estate was Trentham. He married Lady Jane Grenville, and was an MP for Newcastle under Lyme, and was heavily involved in politics his whole life. According to The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography and documented proceedings from the House of Lords on March 16th, 1702, Gower (recorded as Sir John Gower Baronet in The Journal for the House of Lords) was created Lord Gower of Sittenham, to secure the Tory majority in the Lords. He is also noted as an enthusiastic horticulturalist, redesigning his gardens at Trentham between 1701 until his death in 1709.
References:
1) Elkin, John. "Fourth Generation: The Leveson-Gower Family." Last Updated March 2002. Accessed 31 Oct. 2007 http://freespace.virgin.net/john.elkin/levgower001.htm#ref5.
2) Lundy, Darryl. "John Leveson-Gower, 1st Earl Gower." The Peerage. Last updated 8 Oct. 2005. Accessed 31 Oct. 2007. http://www.thepeerage.com/p10559.htm#i105589
3) Richard Wisker, 'Gower, John Leveson-, first Baron Gower (1675-1709)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/16545, accessed 31 Oct 2007]
4) Richard Wisker, 'Gower, John Leveson-, first Earl Gower (1694-1754)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/16546, accessed 31 Oct 2007]
5) 'House of Lords Journal Volume 17: 6 December 1703', Journal of the House of Lords: volume 17: 1701-1705, pp. 340-341. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=14691. Date accessed: 31 October 2007.

RBSC Bookplates

2007

Images provided for research and reference use only. Permission to publish, copy, or otherwise use these images must be obtained from Rare Books and Special Collections: http://rbsc.library.ubc.ca

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