Philip Thicknesse was a British author and eccentric. In 1742 he eloped with Maria Lanove, a wealthy heiress, after he abducted her from a street in Southampton and took up residence in Bath with her, taking full advantage of the social whirl of life. In his will he stipulated that his right hand be cut off, and that it should be delivered to his son, George, who was inattentive. The will stated that the reason was “to remind him of his duty to God after having so long abandoned the duty he owed to a father, who once so affectionately loved him.”
Philip Thicknesse
