Talk:Peter Beckford (junior)/GA1

GA Review

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Reviewer: Kaiser matias (talk · contribs) 23:54, 15 September 2023 (UTC)Reply

The lead claims Beckford was "one of the wealthiest people in the world". However this is not supported in the body of the article. I see mention to him being one of the richest in both Jamaica and in Europe, but not globally. Is there a source for this claim? If not it should be removed.
- A fair point. It is true that he was, in all likelyhood, one of the richest people in the world at the time of his death, but since this is not stated in any of my sources I have changed the wording from the "world" to the "British Empire" (of which both Great Britain and Britain's overseas colonies, including Jamaica, were part of). I totally understand if this is a point you wish to further discuss.

"After coming of age, Beckford was appointed to serve as the Receiver General of Jamaica in 1696." Who made the appointment? The Jamaican colonial authorities, England, or another body? Would be good to have that clarified if possible.
- Done

"Beckford, similar to his father, "possessed a violent temper"; on 13 December of 1697, he killed Samuel Lewis, a 60-year old politician then serving as the Commissary General and Deputy Judge Advocate of Jamaica, by stabbing him to death with his own sword." Any background on why he killed Lewis? Was there a dispute between them or something? I see the next paragraph has Beckford stating it was in a duel, but that should be made clear earlier.
- My sources don't explicitly state why Beckford killed Lewis; as to the claim that it was a duel, said allegation was made by Beckford only after he fled to France. Without reliable sources stating why he killed Lewis or what their prior relationship with, there isn't much I can go on- please do keep in mind that the article subject is not a particularly well-known or well-studied historical figure.

Is there any background as to why he was not speaker from 1713 to 1716? Did he step down, was replaced, other?
- Again, my sources don't explicitly state why Beckford stopped serving as speaker from 1713 to 1716. Most likely he stepped down for one or several reasons and was replaced for a three-year period, but without reliable sources stating why exactly he stepped down and who replaced him there's nothing more I can really add.

In the "Financial activities and death" section it notes he was called to the bar in 1695. This is not noted in the "Early life" section. I would suggest including this event in the early life section as well, as it's fairly notable and fits chronologically. The parenthesis could then be removed, as it would be established he had legal training.
- Made some changes, including some of my own- let me know whaddya think!

The image of his daughter Elizabeth should be reworded; right now it suggests the robes were made by Benjamin West, rather than the painting. Something like "A portrait by Benjamin West of Beckford's daughter..." should be suffice.
- I've reworded it to note that the painting is by ol' Benjy West, not the robes Elizabeth is wearing. Waddya think?

For books cited, I would advise including the location of publication.
- I've had another look at all of the sources cited for the article, and AFAIK none of them include the location of publications. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that many of the sources cited are online articles which typically do not include a "location of publication".

An interesting article, and not a lot to address. Once the above are taken care of it should be good to go. Kaiser matias (talk) 16:00, 17 September 2023 (UTC)Reply

Thanks for the clarification, and making edits where necessary. A solid article, well done. Kaiser matias (talk) 00:18, 18 September 2023 (UTC)Reply