Barclay Fox

Robert Barclay Fox (September 6,1817 - March 10,1855), businessman, gardener and diarist, a member of the influential Quaker Fox family of Falmouth.

He was the son of Robert Were Fox F.R.S. of Falmouth in Cornwall and Maria (born Barclay of Bury Hill), his wife. He was usually known as "Barclay Fox".

He was the brother of Anna Maria and Caroline Fox and brother-in law of Edmund Backhouse, M.P. for Darlington, who married the Barclay's cousin, Juliet.

The Journal

Barclay's courtship of Jane Gurney Backhouse is described in his Journal , published in 1979. Barclay's journal runs from 1832 to 1854, with most of the entries before his marriage to Jane, in October 1844, and the birth of their five children: four boys and a girl.

Polytechnic Society

Barclay and his siblings played a large part in the naming and establishment of the Cornwall Polytechnic Society (from 1835, the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society). After his death, the RCPS Committee recorded

"The Society, however, since our last meeting, has been deprived of the services of Mr. R. B. Fox, who, on all occasions, not only aided the institution by his varied and powerful intelligence but practically and laboriously assisted in carrying it on".

Travels in 1843

In his diary for 1843, Barclay gives an entertaining account of his travels in France and Italy.

The family businesses

Before he left, on February 6, 1843, his family made in a partner in the firm of G.C. Fox (Shipping Brokers). Barclay was also general manager of the Iron Foundry at Perranarworthal, from July 18, 1842, when his uncle, Charles Fox, retired.

John Sterling

Barclay's sister, Caroline Fox, also kept a journal, which was published after her death and it was republished in 1972. Barclay and Caroline have interestingly different views on the same events that they witnessed. They were agreed on the great significance of John Sterling (author) in their lives.

Politics and pleasure

Barclay Fox was one of the leaders the ultimately unsuccessful campaign to persuade the Government not to shift the servicing of Post Office Packets from Falmouth to Southampton. He was in a deputation of Cornish worthies who met the Prime Minister on 16 June 1843 (Journal page 345).

In his spare time, he developed Penjerrick Garden, competing with his uncles Charles Fox of Trebah and Alfred Fox of Glendurgan. All three gardens are now open to the public.

Death and after

Barclay Fox died in Egypt on March 10,1855. His wife, Jane Fox died April 10,1860. Their four sons were brought up by Barclay's unmarried sisters, Anna Maria and Caroline. They were:
Robert Fox (1845 – 1915), George Croker Fox (1847 – 1902), Henry Backhouse Fox (1849 – 1936) and Joseph Gurney Fox (1850 – 1912), (known as "Gurney").

Robert Fox married Ellen Mary Bassett. Their son, Robert Barclay Fox (24 July, 1873 - 22 April 1934), became a Conservative County Councillor and was High Sheriff of Cornwall in 1920 .

The daughter of Barclay and Jane Fox, Jane Hannah Fox, was brought up by her mother's brother, Edmund Backhouse (MP) and his wife.

Jane Hannah Fox married Horace Pym , who edited Caroline Fox's Journal for publication. She was his second wife. Barclay Fox's own journal was published in 1979