Richard Rolt

Richard Rolt (1724–2 March 1770) was an English writer, also known as a poet and librettist.

Life Rolt was baptized at Shrewsbury, the son of Richard Rolt (died 1739) and Mary Davies. He was educated at Shrewsbury School, at that time under Leonard Hotchkiss. The family was connected to that of Samuel Rolt, Member of Parliament for Bedford. Found a place under an excise officer in the north of England, by John Orlebar, MP and son-in-law of Samuel Rolt, he was suspected of joining the Jacobite army in 1745, and was therefore dismissed from his situation. He then went to Dublin, hoping to obtain employment in Ireland through the influence of his relative on his mother's side Ambrose Philips.

Philips returned with Rolt to London in 1748, dying the next year. By then Rolt had been articled to an attorney, and had been introduced to Whig political circles. He also published: Rolt did claim acquaintance with Johnson.

and other works. John Sherratt brought Rolt some writing projects at the end of the 1750s, designed to further his own interests in privateering.

Rolt edited from the author's manuscript Travels through Italy (1766), by John Northall.

At his death Rolt left manuscripts, brought out by a group of friends: a History of the Isle of Man, which was published in 1773, and The History of the British Dominions in North America in six volumes. Select Pieces of the late R. Rolt was dedicated to Lady Sondes, daughter of Henry Pelham, a sometime patron of Rolt. It was published in 1772 for the benefit of Rolt's widow Mary, née Perrins.

Family Rolt was twice married, and left a daughter by each of his wives. His second wife Mary, who survived him many years, was, by her mother, related to the Percys of Worcester. After Rolt's death, Bishop Thomas Percy gave her a pension.