Details

Name

Horatio Walpole

Brief Biography

1717 - 1797, British / English

Occupation

Art Historian; Politician; Author

Description

Horatio Walpole, also known as Horace Walpole, was an art historian, antiquarian and politician. Educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge, he left with a patchy educational record but due to his father's status and wealth he could still undertake the Grand Tour of Europe from 1739-1741, travelling extensively through France and Italy. Upon returning to England, Walpole was elected as Whig Member of Parliament for the rotten borough of Callington, Cornwall. Walpole held this seat for 13 years, despite never visiting Callington.

Walpole is perhaps best remembered to this day for his Gothic Revival villa, Strawberry Hill House, in Twickenham, London. His collection of antiquities was famous during his lifetime, with visitors travelling to see the assemblage at Strawberry Hill. The collection was dispersed through sale in 1842 with pieces now found in some of the world's leading collections.