Sir Anthony Cope, 4th Baronet
Sir Anthony Cope, 4th Baronet (16 November 1632 – 11 June 1675) was an English natural philosopher, politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1660 to 1675.[1]
Cope was the son of Sir John Cope, 3rd Baronet and his second wife Elizabeth Fane daughter of Francis Fane, 1st Earl of Westmorland. He succeeded to the baronetcy of Hanwell on the death of his father in 1638. His grandfather was Sir William Cope, 2nd Baronet of Hanwell.[2]
Hanwell Castle and Sir Anthony Cope
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Hanwell Castle, located in Oxfordshire, was a significant site owned by the Cope family, who played an influential role in the region's history for centuries. The castle and its gardens became central to scientific and philosophical advancements during the 17th century under the stewardship of Sir Anthony Cope.[1]
A Pioneer of Natural Philosophy
[edit]Sir Anthony Cope was a distinguished figure with a profound interest in natural philosophy. He graduated from the University of Oxford and transformed Hanwell Castle and Tangley Hall into centers of learning and innovation. His contributions were instrumental in fostering scientific thought during his time.[1]
The Water Gardens at Hanwell Castle
[edit]One of Sir Anthony's achievements was the creation of an innovative water garden at Hanwell Castle. This ambitious project required expertise in multiple disciplines such as ecology, hydrology, chemistry, engineering, botany, zoology, landscape architecture, and physics. The gardens featured lakes, terraced walkways, and water-powered special effects that showcased his scientific interests and entertained like-minded individuals from Oxford's intellectual community.[1]
Robert Plot's Description
[edit]Robert Plot, author of Natural History of Oxfordshire (1677) and the first professor of chemistry at Oxford University, praised Hanwell Castle as the "New Atlantis." He described Sir Anthony Cope as a naturalist, artist, virtuoso, and an ingenious figure whose work embodied the ideals of progress in natural philosophy envisioned by Francis Bacon.[1]
Archeological Discoveries
[edit]Recent archaeological investigations have revealed extensive remains of Hanwell Castle's water gardens. These include terracotta garden urns, clay pipes, fountains, and other artifacts dating back to the 17th century. These findings underscore the site's historical importance as a hub for scientific experimentation and innovation.[1]
Dr. Stephen Wass's research Seventeenth-century Water Gardens and the Birth of Modern Scientific thought in Oxford: The Case of Hanwell Castle (2022) highlights Hanwell Castle's pivotal role in advancing modern scientific thought in Oxfordshire. The castle served as a meeting place for intellectuals who pursued practical applications of new ideas. Today, Hanwell Village is recognised as a birthplace of modern science in England, with Sir Anthony Cope's contributions celebrated as foundational yet historically overlooked.[1]
The City of London
[edit]The Cope family's ownership of property near Wool Quay in the City of London led them to be involved in the rebuilding of the Customs House after the Great Fire of 1666. The site of the new building was considerably larger than that of its predecessor. Construction took place between 1668 and 1671, following a design by Christopher Wren, marking his first major project within the City of London. Evidence suggests a collaboration between Cope and Wren. Additional land was acquired for the expansion from Sir Anthony Cope. However, it is important to note that the new building did not, unlike its successor, extend northward to Thames Street. A significant strip of land was left on the north side, which was later occupied by two rebuilt taverns and a large warehouse owned by Sir Anthony Cope. Cope owned various quays, wharves, and warehouses in the City of London.[1]
Member of Parliament
[edit]In 1660, Cope was elected Member of Parliament for Banbury in the Convention Parliament.[3] In 1661 he was elected MP for Oxfordshire in the Cavalier Parliament and sat until his death in 1675.[3] In the same year, he was commissioned a captain in Viscount Falkland's Regiment of Foot, garrisoning Dunkirk. The city was sold and the regiment disbanded in 1662.[4]
Family
[edit]Cope married Mary Gerard, daughter of Dutton Gerard, 3rd Baron Gerard of Gerrard's Bromley. The couple had four children: three boys and one girl. Unfortunately, the boys passed away at a young age.[1]
Cope died at the age of 42.
The baronetcy passed to his brother Sir John Cope, 5th Baronet of Hanwell.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i Wass, Stephen (2022). Seventeenth-century Water Gardens and the Birth of Modern Scientific thought in Oxford: The Case of Hanwell Castle. England: Windgather Press.
- ^ a b John Burke A General and heraldic dictionary of the peerage and baronetage Volume 1
- ^ a b History of Parliament Online - Cope, Sir Anthony
- ^ Dalton, Charles, ed. (1892). English Army Lists and Commission Registers, 1661–1714. Vol. I 1661–1685. London: Eyre & Spottiswode. p. 17.
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