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.[2]
Hanwell Castle and Sir Anthony Cope
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
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
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
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
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]
Member of Parliament
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
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 John.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h 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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.