Sir Godfrey Copley, 2nd Baronet
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Sir Godfrey Copley, 2nd Baronet FRS (c. 1653 – 9 April 1709) was a wealthy English landowner, art-collector and public figure, who lived in Sprotbrough, now part of Doncaster in South Yorkshire.
He is remembered mainly because he provided a bequest to the Royal Society in London in 1709, which provided the funding for an annual award, the Copley Medal, the Society's premier award for scientific achievement.
Copley was the son of a baronet of the same name, created by King Charles II in 1661, and he succeeded to his father's title in 1678. He was elected a member of the Royal Society in 1691. He served as Member of Parliament for Aldborough from 1679 to 1685 and for Thirsk from 1695 to 1709, and also served as commissioner of public accounts and controller of the accounts of the army.
Copley was a major landowner in Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire, holding lands in Sprotborough, Newton, Cusworth, Cadeby, Wildthorpe, Loversall, Doncaster, Bentley and Warmsworth, among other places. Copley's daughter Ann married Emanuel Mote of High Melton, Gent.[1]
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| Parliament of England | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir John Reresby, Bt Henry Arthington |
Member of Parliament for Aldborough with Henry Arthington 1679 Sir Brian Stapylton, Bt 1679–1681 Sir John Reresby, Bt 1681–1685 1679–1685 |
Succeeded by Sir Michael Wentworth Sir Roger Strickland |
| Preceded by Thomas Frankland Richard Staines |
Member of Parliament for Thirsk with Richard Staines 1695–1698 Sir Thomas Frankland, Bt 1698–1709 1695–1709 |
Succeeded by Sir Thomas Frankland, Bt Leonard Smelt |
| Baronetage of England | ||
| Preceded by Godfrey Copley |
Baronet (of Sprotborough) 1678–1709 |
Extinct |
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