Joseph Neeld

Joseph Neeld (1789–1856) was a British landowner and philanthropist. He sat as Member of Parliament for the rotten borough of Gatton, Surrey from March to July 1830 and then for Chippenham, Wiltshire, England until his death.

Career Neeld was one of five brothers born to Joseph Neeld (1754–1828), a solicitor and Mary (née Bond) (1765–1857); the family lived in Hendon, Middlesex.

He seems to have qualified as a barrister of the Inner Temple but it is known that he set out on a career in property management; in 1821 he took a lease on land in Paddington owned by Westminster Abbey.

In 1828, he inherited the substantial sum of £800,000 from his famous great-uncle, Philip Rundell the silversmith, described by James Losh as a "tyrannical miser". The will stated this was a reward to Neeld for giving up a "lucrative profession" to take care of Rundell for thirteen years. With this bequest, Neeld bought the manor of Grittleton, about six miles northwest of Chippenham. He spent from 8 March to 30 July 1830 as Member of Parliament for Gatton, a rotten borough with six houses and one elector but returning two Members, which was abolished by the Reform Act 1832. Later in 1830 he was elected to represent Chippenham, and held the seat at subsequent elections until his death.

Also in 1828, the year that he bought Grittleton, Neeld also bought Kelston Park, a 1760s country house and estate just west of Bath. He made alterations to the house and outbuildings, but in 1844 the estate was transferred to his relatives the Inigo-Jones family.

He married Lady Caroline Ashley Cooper, daughter of the 6th Earl of Shaftesbury on 1 January 1831; however, the marriage did not last for long. and building houses in Grittleton for his tenants. and a row of almshouses (1848).

His parliamentary career was less successful; despite being a Member of Parliament for nearly 24 years, he spoke not once in the House of Commons. Leaving no legitimate heirs, he willed his property to his brother John (who in 1859 was created 1st Baronet Neeld, of Grittleton, and was elected MP for Chippenham 1865–1868).

Joseph's name is commemorated in the Neeld Hall in Chippenham, as well as a row of cottages in Hendon which was built in 1870. and a Grittleton Road.

Neeld's art collection was split up, some pieces now being in the National Portrait Gallery and some in the Victoria and Albert Museum. A 1669 self-portrait in oil by Rembrandt remained at Grittleton House for some years, passed through several owners including Adolf Hitler, then in 1947 was bought by the Mauritshuis, The Hague, Netherlands.