SIR RICHARD, famous for his embassies and writings, was the tenth and youngest son of Sir Henry Fanshaw of Ware Park in Hertfordshire, where it is supposed he was born about the year 1657. He distinguished himself so early by his abilities, that in 1635 he was taken into government employments by King Charles I. and sent resident to the court of Spain; whence being recalled in the beginning of the troubles troubles in 1641, he adhered to the royal interest, and was employed in several important matters of state. During his vacant hours he wrote several poems, and made several translations. At the Restoration it was expected he would have been made one of the secretaries of state; however, he was made master of the requests; a station in those times of considerable profit. Afterwards, on account of his skill in the Latin language, he was made secretary for that tongue. In 1661, he was sent envoy to the king of Portugal. In 1662, he was again sent to that court with the title of ambassador, and negotiated the marriage of his master King Charles II. with the infanta Donna Catherine. Upon his return he was made one of the privy council. In 1664, he was sent ambassador to both the courts of Spain and Portugal; at which time the foundation of peace betwixt those crowns and England was laid by him. His conduct during his former employments in those courts gained him such high esteem there, that his reception was magnificent, exceeding all that were before, which those kings declared was not to be a precedent to succeeding ambassadors. He died at Madrid in 1666, on the very day he had fixed for setting out on his return to England. Besides some original poems, and other translations, he published a translation of Bathista Guarini's Pastor Fido, and another of the Lusiad of Camoens. Among his posthumous publications are, "Letters during his embassies in Spain and Portugal; with his life prefixed.