Sir Richard Wallace, 1st Baronet

Sir Richard Wallace ( * June 21, 1818; † July 20, 1890 in Paris ) was an English art collector and patron.

Richard Wallace was the illegitimate son of Richard Seymour - Conway, 4th Marquess of Hertford, and Agnes Jackson. After the death of his father in 1870 he inherited his immense fortune, including a major art collection, known as the Wallace Collection. Like his father, Richard Wallace spent a substantial part of his life in Paris and was dedicated to the expansion of the art collection of important pieces of French art of the 18th century.

A lasting impression in Paris's image he left behind in 1872 by the establishment of about 50 drinking fountains, known as Wallace fountains, in favor of the poor. Then he left Paris and settled in the city palace of his family, Hertford House, based in London. He also expressed his, was already legendary, under art collection.

In 1871 he was a baronet, raised to the English peerage. Previously, he had married his longtime mistress and mother of his son, Julie Castelnau. From 1873 to 1885 he held a seat in the House of Commons for the electoral district of Lisburn.

In 1887 he returned to Paris, where he died in 1890 and was buried at the Père Lachaise Cemetery. 1897 bequeathed his widow, Lady Julie Wallace, the art collection and Hertford House the British state.