Richard Jones, 3rd Viscount and 1st Earl of Ranelagh (1636 - 1712)

style of Sir Godfrey Kneller (Lübeck 1646/9 - London 1723). Oil painting on canvas, Richard Jones, 3rd Viscount and 1st Earl of Ranelagh (1636 - 1712), style of Sir Godfrey Kneller (Lübeck 1646/9 - London 1723), circa 1700. A three-quarter-length portrait, turned to right, head facing, left hand on hip. Wearing armour, jabot, blue cloak and full bottomed wig. A grisaille painting in background. Son of Arthur Jones, 1st Viscount Ranelagh; Richard Jones, 3rd Viscount and 1st Earl of Ranelagh in the Irish peerage (1636-1712), succeeded as 3rd Viscount in 1669 and became Chancellor of the Irish Exchequer in 1668; farmed Irish revenues, 1674-81; Paymaster-General of the Forces, 1691-1702; Richard Hill of Hawkstone (1654-1727) was his Deputy Paymaster in Flanders for six years. Jones was dismissed for embezzlement, was convicted of defalacation, but escaped prosecution; he spent all his ill-gotten money on fine houses and gardens. The Ranelagh pleasure-grounds were laid out on his former estate in Chelsea. He sat in the English parliament between 1685 and 1703. Married (i) The Hon. Elizabeth Willoughby and (ii) Lady Margaret Cecil Attingham Park, Shropshire (Accredited Museum)