WILDMAN, Thomas (1740-95), of Turnham Green Hall, Mdx.

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.1Information from G. S. Brown.

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.2Beckford mss, Thurlow to Beckford [?Dec. 1783], Wildman to same, 20 Feb. 1789; Morrison Coll. Nelson and Hamilton Pprs. i. 212. Within a year he died, 21 Dec. 1795. Beckford described him as an ‘infernal rascal’3Beckford mss, Beckford’s comment on a letter from Wildman, 14 Apr. 1789. 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’.