Family and Education

b. 1740, 3rd s. of Edward Wildman of Scambler House, Melling, nr. Ormskirk, Lancs., and bro. of James Wildman*. adm. L. Inn 1773. m. 1785, Sarah, da. of Henry Hardinge of Bacton Hall, Suff., 4s. 1da.

Offices Held

Biography

In the wake of a kinsman and namesake, Wildman became a London attorney, being admitted at common pleas 12 May 1770. In the same year he became guardian of William Beckford*, the son of an important client. His partnership of Wildman, Coulthard and Graham at 10 New Square, Lincoln’s Inn, was a flourishing concern, whose association with the wastrel Beckford proved profitable. Wildman’s brother Henry became Beckford’s English estate agent, his brother James his Jamaican agent, and they all lined their pockets.1

Wildman handled Beckford’s electoral interest during his minority and in his absence abroad. Late in 1794, when Beckford vacated his seat for Hindon, Wildman was his substitute. A silent supporter of Pitt’s administration, he made no mark in Parliament.2 Within a year he died, 21 Dec. 1795. Beckford described him as an ‘infernal rascal’3 and in his ‘Liber Veritatis’ recalled ‘Between this harpy and two brothers who played in concert at proper time half my substance has been devoured’.

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Authors: M. H. Port / R. G. Thorne

Notes

• 1. Information from G. S. Brown.
• 2. Beckford mss, Thurlow to Beckford [?Dec. 1783], Wildman to same, 20 Feb. 1789; Morrison Coll. Nelson and Hamilton Pprs. i. 212.
• 3. Beckford mss, Beckford’s comment on a letter from Wildman, 14 Apr. 1789.