Ralph Bernal

Ralph Bernal (2 October 1783[1] or 2 October 1784[2] - 26 August 1854) was a British Whig[3] politician and art collector. His parents, Jacob Israel Bernal and wife Leah da Silva,[4] were Sephardi Jews of Spanish and Portuguese origin, but he was baptised at St Olave Hart Street in London.[1][5] His father was a merchant.[6]

During his youth he became an actor and he performed to acclaim in several works by William Shakespeare during which time he gained a reputation for oratory.

He was Member of Parliament (MP) for Lincoln 1818 to 1820 [7] and MP for Rochester from 1820 to 1841 and again from 1847 to 1852.[2] From 1842 to 1847 he was MP for Weymouth and Melcombe Regis.[8]

Bernal was president of the British Archaeological Society in 1853. He built up a substantial collection of glass, ceramics and other art objects, which were auctioned after his death, with the 4,000 lots selling for £70,000.[1]

He married Ann Elizabeth White in April 1806.[9] His eldest son was Ralph Bernal Osborne (1808–1882), a politician, who took on the surname Osborne on marrying the daughter of Sir Thomas Osborne, 9th Baronet.[10]

Bernal's great-great-great-great-granddaughter is actress Olivia Wilde.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Davies, Helen (2004; online edn, May 2007). "Bernal, Ralph (1783–1854)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 15 November 2010. Check date values in: |date= (help) available online to subscribers, and also in print
  2. 1 2 Rayment, Leigh. "Rochester (Kent)". House of Commons. Retrieved 2010-11-15.
  3. Stooks Smith, Henry. (1973) [1844-1850]. Craig, F. W. S., ed. The Parliaments of England (2nd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. pp. 97, 203, 170–171. ISBN 0-900178-13-2.
  4. http://www.curiousfox.com/uk/mbprof2.lasso?eid=100062
  5. http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1820-1832/member/bernal-ralph-1783-1854
  6. http://www.american-buddha.com/cult.jewishschismrupee.htm
  7. Rayment, Leigh. "Lincoln (Lincolnshire)". House of Commons. Retrieved 2010-11-15.
  8. Rayment, Leigh. "Weymouth &Melcombe Regis (Dorset)". House of Commons. Retrieved 2010-11-15.
  9. http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/l/u/m/Joy-Lumsden-Kingston-6/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0013.html
  10. Beales, Derek (2004; online edn, May 2007). "Osborne, Ralph Bernal (1808?–1882)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 15 November 2010. Check date values in: |date= (help)Available online to subscribers, and also in print

External links

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
John Nicholas Fazakerley
Coningsby Waldo-Sibthorpe
Member of Parliament for Lincoln
18181820
With: Coningsby Waldo-Sibthorpe
Succeeded by
Coningsby Waldo-Sibthorpe
Robert Percy Smith
Preceded by
Lord Binning
James Barnett
Member of Parliament for Rochester
18201841
With: Lord Binning 1820-1826
Henry Dundas 1826-1830
Viscount Villiers 1830-1831
John Mills 1831-1835
Thomas Twisden Hodges 1835-1837
Thomas Benjamin Hobhouse 1837-1841
Succeeded by
James Douglas
William Bodkin
Preceded by
Viscount Villiers
George William Hope
Member of Parliament for Weymouth & Melcombe Regis
1842 – 1847
With: William Dougal Christie
Succeeded by
William Dougal Christie
William Lockyer Freestun
Preceded by
James Douglas Stoddart Douglas
William Bodkin
Member of Parliament for Rochester
18471852
With: Thomas Twisden Hodges
Succeeded by
Hon. Francis Child Villiers
Sir Thomas Maddock


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