Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 61.djvu/256

 Taylor published in 1888 (Harrow, 16mo) Wilkes's account of his life abroad in 1764–5, including his relations with his mistress Corradini. The book is entitled ‘John Wilkes, Patriot: an unfinished Autobiography.’

 WILKES, RICHARD (1691–1760), antiquary and physician, born at Willenhall in Staffordshire on 16 March 1690–1, was the eldest son of Richard Wilkes (1666–1740) of Willenhall by his wife Lucretia (d. 24 July 1717), youngest daughter of Jonas Asteley of Woodeaton, Staffordshire. He was educated at Trentham and at Sutton in Warwickshire, and entered St. John's College, Cambridge, on 13 March 1709–10, being admitted a scholar in 1710. On 6 April 1711 he commenced attending the lectures of Nicholas Saunderson [q. v.], afterwards Lucasian professor of mathematics, and formed a close friendship with him. He graduated B.A. in January 1713–14 and M.A. in 1717, and was elected a fellow of St. John's on 21 Jan. 1716–17. On 4 July 1718 he was chosen Linacre lecturer at the college. He took deacon's orders, but, finding no preferment, he began to practise physic at Wolverhampton in February 1720, resigned his fellowship in 1723, and became eminent in his profession (cf., Illustr. of Literature, iii. 275). In 1725 he received a fortune with his first wife, and settled on his paternal estate, where he died in 1760, and was buried at Bilston on 4 March.

He was twice married: first, on 24 June 1725, to Rachel, daughter of Roland Manlove of Leigh's Hill, Abbot's Bromley, in Staffordshire. She died in May 1786, and in October he married Frances (d. 24 Dec. 1798), daughter of Sir John Wrottesley, bart., and widow of Heigham Bendish of East Ham in Essex. He had no issue, and was succeeded in his estate by his cousin, Thomas Unett.

His portrait, engraved by Granger, is in Shaw's ‘History of Staffordshire.’ 