Sir Wilfrid Lawson, 10th Baronet

Lawson was a patron of the fine arts, and according to descriptions of his collection, a man possessed with a keen eye and good judgement.

Coleridge described him as, "an extremely liberal and good-natured Creature", the owner of a "Kingly mansion at Braighton," who "never lets money stand in the way of his inclinations.

[5] According to Coleridge he was a shrewd negotiator, "tho’ he would not make a fool of himself by giving an extravagant price, yet he would bid hard.

"[4] Lawson was also a botanist of some repute and took a general interest in collecting rare and curious plants, of which he often exhibited at local Feats and Balls.

In 1797, he increased the size of his estate and three years later enlarged the old manor house, laying out extensive botanical gardens, comprising about 350 acres (140 ha).