Portrait of Master Francis Hale, half-length, in a blue coat and waistcoat, in a landscape

Francis Hale (c. 1758-1827) was the son of General Bernard Hale and his wife Martha, daughter of the politician Richard Rigby, of Mistley Hall, Essex. He seems to have been educated at Eton (1768-73) and then at Lausanne (1773-9). He married Frances, daughter of Sir Thomas Rumbold, 1st Bt., and succeeded his uncle, the politician Richard Rigby (1722-88) to the Mistley estate, then taking the name of Rigby. His uncle, who was closely associated with the Bedford family, was a notable patron of the arts and collector, employing Adam at Mistley Hall and purchasing a small group of very distinguished old master pictures including works by Cuyp. Francis Hale was Member of Parliament for Mitchell from 1779 until 1784.