George Percy Ashburnham Paintings

George Percy Ashburnham was not primarily known as an artist, but rather as a British nobleman and politician. Born on October 25, 1752, he was the 3rd Earl of Ashburnham and a member of an aristocratic family with a lineage that could be traced back to the Norman conquest of England. His titles, wealth, and social standing afforded him the opportunity to become a patron of the arts and a collector during his lifetime.

During his life, Ashburnham held various positions of influence, including that of a Member of Parliament (MP) for New Romney from 1780 to 1796, and for Hastings in 1806. His political career, though noteworthy, was not marked by particular distinction, and he is often remembered more for his activities as a collector than as a politician.

Ashburnham amassed a significant collection of books and manuscripts, known as the Ashburnham Library, which included many medieval manuscripts and incunabula (books printed before 1501). His collection was recognized for its rarity and breadth, and parts of it were sold to the British Museum, the Bibliothèque nationale de France, and other institutions.

The 3rd Earl of Ashburnham died on April 27, 1830. Although not an artist himself, his contribution to the art world lies in his patronage and his notable collection, which helped to preserve important works for future generations. His legacy is more closely connected with the history of book collecting and the preservation of literary and historical documents than with the production of art.