Richard ‘Beau’ Nash

Richard Nash was born in Swansea. His father was the partner in a glass-works and he was determined his son would have a good education. After attending the local grammar school, he went to Oxford, but never obtained a degree. He then joined the army but soon left and decided to become a barrister. Whilst in thew Middle Temple, he organised a pageant in honour of King William III, who was so impressed he offered to reward Nash with a knighthood, but Nash declined. However, this was to show Nash his way forward and he was appointed Master of Ceremonies at Bath and played a leading role in the emergence of Bath as one of the countries leading spa and entertainment towns. He was responsible for regulating gambling, providing music for events, matching dance partners and even brokered marriages He also served as master of Ceremonies at Tunbridge Wells in Kent and it was said that Bath was his Kingdom and Tunbridge Wells its colony.

Nash died in 1762 and was given a lavish funeral at the expense of the City corporation. he is buried in the nave of Bath Abbey