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James Beckford Wildman

1789 – 1867

English businessman and politician

Politician Businessperson Plantation owner
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About James Beckford Wildman

Lived 1789 – 1867 (aged 77–78). James Beckford Wildman was a British politician, businessperson and plantation owner.

James Beckford Wildman (19 October 1789 – 25 May 1867) was an English landowner and Tory politician who served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Colchester from 1818 to 1826. His properties included plantations in Jamaica and Chilham Castle in Kent, England, which he sold in 1861. The Jamaican plantation, Quebec Estate, was obtained by the Wildman family from William Beckford. Beckford claimed to have been swindled by the Wildmans, who pressured him to sign over the property under threat of calling in outstanding mortgages.

Quebec Estate was one of the largest sugar plantations in Jamaica with well over 800 slaves (the average at that time was 200). The profits from this plantation allowed Thomas Wildman to purchase (and renovate) Newstead Abbey from Lord Byron.

In 1830, Wildman complained to Viscount Goderich about the treatment of one of his slaves, Eleanor James, by the proprietor of an estate called North Hall. (James was flogged for requesting payment for a hog.) In 1840, Joseph John Gurney visited the estate and described the trial of a Myalist that took place there.

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Important facts

Born
1789
Birth century
Died
1867
Education
Christ Church
Positions held
Member of the 6th Parliament of the United Kingdom, Member of the 7th Parliament of the United Kingdom, Member of the 5th Parliament of the United Kingdom

People in James Beckford Wildman's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped James Beckford Wildman's

Frequently asked questions

Who was James Beckford Wildman?

English businessman and politician

When was James Beckford Wildman born?

James Beckford Wildman was born in 1789.

When did James Beckford Wildman die?

James Beckford Wildman died in 1867.

What was James Beckford Wildman's occupation?

James Beckford Wildman was a politician, businessperson and plantation owner.

What nationality was James Beckford Wildman?

James Beckford Wildman was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: James Beckford Wildman

· Wikidata: Q6129571

· DBpedia: James Beckford Wildman

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). James Beckford Wildman. https://biography.guide/james-beckford-wildman/

MLA: "James Beckford Wildman." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/james-beckford-wildman/.

Chicago: "James Beckford Wildman." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/james-beckford-wildman/.

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