Richard FitzWilliam, 7th Viscount FitzWilliam

Richard FitzWilliam, 7th Viscount FitzWilliam, 1764 portrait by Joseph Wright of Derby; FitzWilliam Museum
Richard FitzWilliam, 7th Viscount FitzWilliam. Portrait after Henry Howard, FitzWilliam Museum
Arms of Fitwilliam: Lozengy argent and gules
The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, founded by a bequest in the will of Richard FitzWilliam
Monument to FitzWilliam and his maternal grandfather Sir Matthew Decker, 1st Baronet; St Mary Magdalene's Church, Richmond, Surrey

Richard FitzWilliam, 7th Viscount FitzWilliam (1 August 1745 – 4 February 1816) of Mount Merrion, Dublin, Ireland, and of FitzWilliam House[1] in the parish of Richmond in Surrey, England, was an Anglo-Irish nobleman in the Peerage of Ireland who was a benefactor and musical antiquarian who founded the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, England, with a bequest of his library and art collection. He was also a significant urban developer in the City of Dublin. He served as a Member of Parliament for Wilton in Wiltshire, England (not precluded by his Irish peerage), from 1790 until his death.

  1. ^ Stood on the site of today's Pembroke Villa, 10 semi-detached houses. FitzWilliam House, demolished in 1840, had been built by Sir Charles Hedges (died 1714), Secretary of State to Queen Anne who was succeeded by Sir Matthew Decker (1679 to 1749) who enlarged the house and created an exceptionally fine garden [1]