John Lade

Sir John Lade, 2nd Baronet (1 August 1759 – 10 February 1838) was a prominent member of Regency society, notable as an owner and breeder of racehorses, as an accomplished driver, associated with Samuel Johnson's circle, and one of George IV's closest friends. At the time he caused some sensation both because of the extent of his debts and the scandal attached to his marriage to his wife Letitia, a woman who was generally supposed to have been previously the mistress of both the executed highwayman John Rann and the Prince Regent's brother, the Duke of York.

He was born the posthumous child of Sir John Lade, 1st Baronet; his mother was the sister of the brewer Henry Thrale. He inherited from his father a vast fortune, also founded on brewing.

According to Abraham Hayward, Samuel Johnson was consulted on his upbringing; but Johnson had no high opinion of the boy's intellect. His original advice to Lady Lade, was "Endeavour, Madam, to procure him knowledge; for really ignorance to a rich man is like fat to a sick sheep, it only serves to call the rooks about him." As Lade grew up, Johnson found himself disappointed: Hester Thrale reported that when Sir John asked Johnson for advice on whether he should marry, the reply came as:

"I would advise no man to marry, Sir," replied the Doctor in a very angry tone, "who is not likely to propagate understanding;" and so left the room.

Johnson did propose,"half in earnest", a marriage between Sir John and Fanny Burney while the boy was still a minor.

Lade matriculated at University College, Oxford in 1776. On attaining the age of 21, he received control of his fortune.

Lade lost money at the races and by gambling; but he developed a reputation as a judge of horseflesh. He discovered and owned of the horse Medley, a grey which was one of the first thoroughbreds to be imported into America, and "the most important horse of the last quarter of the eighteenth century". His "harlequin" colours were a familiar sight at races throughout the British isles.

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