Finch, Heneage, 4th Earl of Aylesford (1751 -1812)

Heneage Finch, 4th Earl of Aylesford, was the eldest son of Heneage Finch, 3rd Earl, and Charlotte, daughter of Charles Seymour, 6th Duke of Somerset. Educated at Westminster School, he matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford 13 November 1767, and was created M.A. 16 June 1770, and D.C.L. 7 July 1773. Member of Parliament for Castle Rising 1772 1774, and for Maidstone 1774 1777, when he succeeded to the title, he was a Lord of the Bedchamber 1777 1783, a Fellow of the Royal Society and of the Society of Antiquaries, Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard 1783 1804, and Lord Steward of the Household 1804 1812. He married, 18 November 1781, Louisa Thynne, daughter of the 1st Marquess of Bath. The Aylesford library was sold at auction for the 7th Earl by Christie Manson & Wood 12 March 1888 in 1983 lots, the returned books being sold in the same rooms on 23 May. The music library had been sold for the 6th Earl by Puttick & Simpson on 25 August 1873.