William Beckford of Somerley
Drawn on the Spot, & painted by George Robertson. John Boydell excudit 1778. Engraved by Thomas Vivares. A VIEW IN THE ISLAND OF JAMAICA, of Roaring River Estate belonging to William Beckford Esq.r near Savannah la Marr, to whom this Plate is Dedicated by his most Obliged Servant, JOHN BOYDELL. Published 25 March 1778 by John Boydell Engraver in Cheapside London.
William Beckford of Somerley (died 1799) was a Jamaican slave-owner and writer. Illegitimate son of Richard Beckford, he was part of the influential Beckford family and inherited four sugar plantations, which he personally supervised:
- Roaring River Estate, Westmoreland
In 1790 he published A Descriptive Account of the Island of Jamaica, a two volume description of contemporary life in Jamaica from a planter's point of view.
References
Stephen, Leslie, ed. (1885). "Beckford, William (d.1799)". Dictionary of National Biography 4. London: Smith, Elder & Co.