Samuel Romilly: Early Life, Family Heritage, and Education
The early years of Samuel Romilly were shaped by a legacy of resilience, faith, and the complexities of refugee life in 18th-century London. Born into a French-speaking Huguenot family—Protestants who fled France following the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes—Romilly's upbringing was a blend of familial hardship and unexpected fortune.
Family Origins and Heritage
Samuel Romilly was born on Frith Street in Soho, London. He was the second surviving son of Pierre Romilly, a jeweler and watchmaker, and Marguerite Garnault. His maternal grandfather, Aymé Garnault, was also a Huguenot jeweler whose family had originated from Châtellerault in Poitou.
The family's history in England began with Samuel's paternal grandfather, Étienne Romilly, who emigrated from Montpellier to Hoxton in 1701 via Geneva. Initially, Étienne found success as a wax bleacher, supported by financial aid from his father's estate in Montpellier. However, following his father's death, a Catholic relative inherited the estate, severely reducing Étienne's income and eventually leading to bankruptcy. Étienne died in 1733 at the age of 49, remembered by his grandson Samuel as having died of a "broken heart."
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Upbringing and Education
Pierre and Marguerite Romilly married in 1744, but their early family life was marked by tragedy. Six of their children died in infancy or early childhood. Believing the unhealthy atmosphere of central London was to blame, the family moved from Soho to the High Street in Marylebone, which was then a small village located a mile from the city.
Due to his mother's poor health, Samuel and his surviving siblings were primarily raised by a maternal relative, Margaret Facquier. Their education was unconventional, focusing on the Bible, the moralist periodical The Spectator, and an English translation of François Fénelon's Les Aventures de Télémaque. Although Samuel briefly attended a school run by a Mr. Flack, he disliked the experience, and his formal schooling ended at age 14.
Romilly's intellectual growth continued through his community. Every Sunday, the family attended the French Protestant Chapel in Soho, led by Pastor John (Jean) Roget. It was Roget who introduced Romilly to the works of Jean Jacques Rousseau. Becoming a follower of Rousseau, Romilly became a self-taught classical scholar and well-versed in French literature.
Financial Turning Points and Legal Training
Romilly's early career prospects were initially tied to his godfather and namesake, Sir Samuel Fludyer, 1st Baronet. Romilly began a clerkship in Fludyer's wool business to learn bookkeeping. However, the deaths of Sir Samuel in 1768 and his partner Sir Thomas Fludyer in 1769 ended this path.
A significant change in fortune occurred in 1769 when Romilly's great-uncle, Philip Delahaize, passed away. Delahaize, a wealthy benefactor known for supporting refugee families, left substantial bequests. Samuel and his brother each received £2,000 (approximately £315,000 in 2025), while their parents and sister received £3,000 each (approximately £473,000 in 2025).
With this financial security, Romilly was articled in 1773 to William Michael Lally, a solicitor in the Six Clerks office of the Court of Chancery (the high court of equity in England). Despite spending five years there, Romilly ultimately declined the opportunity to purchase a permanent post in the office.
Key Facts
- Heritage: Born into a French-speaking Huguenot refugee family in Soho, London.
- Education: Largely self-taught after formal schooling ended at age 14; influenced by Jean Jacques Rousseau.
- Family Tragedy: Six of his siblings died young, prompting a move to Marylebone for better health.
- Financial Windfall: Received a legacy of £2,000 from his great-uncle Philip Delahaize in 1769.
- Legal Background: Trained as a solicitor under William Michael Lally at the Court of Chancery.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Parents | Pierre Romilly (Watchmaker) & Marguerite Garnault |
| Primary Educators | Margaret Facquier & Pastor John Roget |
| Key Literary Influences | The Bible, The Spectator, Jean Jacques Rousseau |
| Major Benefactor | Philip Delahaize (Great-uncle) |
| Legal Training | Six Clerks office, Court of Chancery (1773) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the Huguenots?
The Huguenots were French Protestants who fled France to escape persecution following the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes.
How was Samuel Romilly educated?
After leaving formal school at 14, Romilly was largely self-taught. He was educated by a relative using the Bible and moralist texts, and he later studied classical scholarship and French literature.
How did Romilly acquire his wealth?
He received a generous bequest of £2,000 from his great-uncle, Philip Delahaize, who died in 1769.
What was Romilly's relationship with Jean Jacques Rousseau?
Romilly was introduced to Rousseau's works by Pastor John Roget and became a dedicated follower of the philosopher's ideas.
What legal experience did Romilly have?
He served a five-year articleship starting in 1773 under solicitor William Michael Lally at the Court of Chancery.