Wilson Gale-Braddyll

Who was Wilson Gale-Braddyll?

Wilson Gale-Braddyll was a British Member of Parliament.

He was born Wilson Gale, the eldest son of John Gale of Highhead Castle, Cumberland by Sarah, only child of Christopher Wilson of Bardsea Hall, Urswick. Through his mother Wilson Gale was to become representative of the family of Braddyll of Conishead Priory near Ulverston, and in consequence he added that name to his own in 1776. The same year he married his second cousin Jane, only child of Matthias Gale of Catgill Hall, Cumberland, by Jane, daughter of Rev. Dr. Thomas Bennett.

Gale-Braddyll was High Sheriff of Lancashire in 1778, MP for Lancaster 1780–84 and for Carlisle 1790. In 1803 he was appointed colonel in the 3rd Royal Lancashire, or Prince Regent's Own, Regiment of Militia; and Groom of the Royal Bedchamber in 1809.

Members of the family were painted several times by Joshua Reynolds in 1788 and 1789. A full-length group portrait of Wilson and Jane with their son Thomas is now held by the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, while a portrait of Mrs. Bradyll hangs in the Wallace Collection.

As well as Thomas the couple had three married daughters. Mrs. Braddyll survived her husband for a little under a year, dying 6 November 1819. They are commemorated by a memorial inscription in Ulverston church.