Bookplate of Samuel Whitbread (1764-1815)

Bookplate of Samuel Whitbread, heir to the brewery founded by his father, also Samuel (1720-1796). Whitbread embarked upon a political career after gaining his BA from St John's (1785), and became a leading figure among the Whigs, but was always insecure about his standing with the dominant aristocratic classes due to his family's background in trade. He became seen as a radical extremist, advocating peace with France and reform. His increasing alienation and long-term mental disturbance led to his eventual suicide.

The bookplate shown here is found in a copy of Nicholson's First principles of chemistry (1792) given by Allen Foxley.