Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Blake, Francis (1708-1780)
BLAKE, Sir FRANCIS (1708–1780), first baronet, mathematician, born 1708, was descended from the house of Menlough, co. Galway. His father, Robert Blake, by his marriage with Sarah, third daughter of his kinsman, Sir Francis Blake, knight, of Ford Castle, Northumberland, became possessed of the Twisell estate, in the county of Durham. The son rendered active support to the government during the rebellion of 1745, and was created a baronet 3 May 1774. He devoted much of his time to mechanics and experimental philosophy, and upon becoming a fellow of the Royal Society, in 1746, ‘wrote some papers in the ‘Philosophical Transactions.’ Sir Francis died at Tilmouth 29 March 1780, and was buried at Houghton-le-Spring.
[Raines North Durham, pp. 314, 316; Betham's Baronetage, iii. 439.]