Bakewell, ROBERT

Bakewell, ROBERT, grazier, was born in 1725 at Dishley, Leicestershire, and died in 1795. His fame rests on his successful efforts to improve the breed of domestic animals. His reputation was so great as a breeder of sheep, that he received the almost fabulous sum of 1200 guineas for one season of a ram. The long-horned breed of cattle which he produced is still remembered as the Dishley or New Leicestershire breed. His horses were also famous, and almost as profitable to him as his sheep. One of his objects was to produce a breed of animals that would fatten on the smallest quantity of food. Yet he was bankrupt in 1776.