On the Benefit received by his Majefty from Sea-Bathing, Formed by Nature, as by Virtue form'd Tribute to the Memory of Cowper. ILLIAM COWPER was the eldeft fon of the Reverend John Cowper, Rector of Berkhampftead, in Hertfordshire, and was born at that place on the 15th of November, o. s. 1731. His family which was ancient and refpectable, was fettled in Suffex in the reign of Edward the Fourth; and in 1641 Sir William Cowper was created a baronet, which dignity defcended to his grandfon, who left iffue two fons. Sir William Cowper, the eldeft, became Lord Keeper of the Great Seal to Queen Anne, by whom he was raised to the peerage, and by George the First was created Earl Cowper. Spenfer Cowper, the Earl's younger brother, was bred to the bar, and was made Juftice of the Common Pleas in 1727. He had three fons, namely, William Cowper, Clerk of the House of Lords; John, the father of the Poet; and Ashley Cowper, a barrifter, and one of the Clerks of Parliament, who left two daughters his coheirs, of whom Harriet was the wife of Sir Thomas Hesketh. The Reverend John Cowper, the fecond fon of Judge Cowper, was chaplain in ordinary to the King, and married Ann, daughter of Roger Donne, of Ludham Hall, in Norfolk, Esq. a descendant, it is faid, of the celebrated Dr. Donne, and by her had WILLIAM, the Poet, a fon named John, who took orders, and other children who died young. VOL. I. b |