Sir John Thomas Stanley

He was born at Alderley Park on 26 March 1735, the eldest son of Sir Edward Stanley, 5th Baronet and his wife Mary Ward. He succeeded to the baronetcy in August 1755 following the death of his father.
He served in the Royal Court as Gentleman of the Privy Chamber to King George III.

In 1789 he made a celebrated voyage to the Faroe Islands and Iceland with James Wright, Isaac Benners and John Baine, including the climbing of Mount Hekla.

In 1789 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. His proposers for the latter were Andrew Dalzell, Adam Smith, and James Hutton.

In 1763, he married Margaret Owen, daughter of Hugh Owen of Penrhos.

He was father to John Thomas Stanley, 1st Baron Stanley of Alderley and Bishop Edward Stanley. His daughter, Margaretta Louisa Ann Stanley married General Sir Baldwin Leighton 6th Baronet.

He was grandfather to Arthur Penrhyn Stanley, Dean of Westminster Abbey. He was also great-grandfather to Henry John Adeane, British barrister and MP.

He was portrayed in his youth by Philip Mercier. The suit he was wearing on this portrait can be seen in the Gallery of English costume, Platt Hall, Manchester. The suit is mentioned and explained in the book 18th Century embroidery techniques by Gail Marsh.