Sir Ralph Milbanke, 5th Baronet (?1721-98) was the eldest son of Sir Ralph Milbanke, 4th Baronet, and married Elizabeth Hedworth in 1748. He served as MP for Scarborough in 1754-61, and Richmond in 1761-68.

Although Sir Ralph was also in possession of Halnaby Hall, Darlington (demolished 1952), it has been suggested by Bolton among others that Adam's designs for ceilings were probably intended for Sir Ralph's other property at Thorpe Perrow, near Bedale. This was an old house in need of remodelling. Adam's designs were not executed, and the house was rebuilt for Mark Milbank, shortly after Sir Ralph’s death, to designs by John Foss (1745-1827).

Literature:
A.T. Bolton, The architecture of Robert and James Adam, 1922, Volume II, Index pp. 56, 80; N. Pevsner, The buildings of England: Yorkshire, the North Riding, 1966, p. 163; D. King, The complete works of Robert & James Adam and unbuilt Adam, 2001, Volume II, p. 179; 'Milbanke, Sir Ralph, 5th Bt. (?1721-98), of Halnaby Hall', History of Parliament online, 2012

Frances Sands, 2012