Robert Waithman

Robert Waithman (1764 – 6 February 1833) was a master draper who in later life was a British politician; an economic progressive Whig from an industrial background and a political reformist. He became an alderman of the Corporation of London who elected him as Lord Mayor of London for a standard tenure, one ceremonial year.

Biography

Waithman was born at Wrexham, to John Waithman, a joiner at the Bersham Ironworks, and Mary (née Roberts).

After being employed for some time in a London linen draper's, he opened, about 1786, a draper's shop of his own, and made a considerable fortune. On 14 July 1787 he married Mary Davis, his cousin.[1] In 1818 he was returned to Parliament, as a Whig, for the City of London. He lost his seat at the election of 1820, but regained it in 1826, and retained it till his death, taking part vigorously in the parliamentary debates, and strenuously supporting reform.[1]

Obelisk to Waithman in Salisbury Square, St Bride's, London, EC4 previously on Ludgate Circus.

In 1820 he was appointed Sheriff of the City of London and in 1823 elected Lord Mayor of London. Waithman died in London on 6 February 1833. An obelisk erected by his friends in Ludgate Circus, London, adjoining the site of his first shop, commemorated his memory. The obelisk today forms the main monument in Salisbury Square.[1]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c "The National Library of Wales :: Dictionary of Welsh Biography". yba.llgc.org.uk. Retrieved 13 April 2017.

References

External links

Parliament of the United Kingdom Preceded bySir William Curtis, BtSir James Shaw, BtJohn AtkinsSir Matthew Wood, Bt Member of Parliament for the City of London 1818 – 1820 With: Thomas WilsonSir Matthew Wood, BtJohn Thomas Thorp Succeeded bySir William Curtis, BtThomas WilsonGeorge BridgesSir Matthew Wood, Bt Preceded bySir William Curtis, BtThomas WilsonGeorge BridgesSir Matthew Wood, Bt Member of Parliament for the City of London 1826 – 1833 With: Sir Matthew Wood, Bt 1817–43William Ward 1826–31William Thompson 1826–32William Venables 1831–32Sir John Key, Bt from 1832 Succeeded byGeorge LyallGeorge GroteSir John Key, BtSir Matthew Wood, Bt Civic offices Preceded bySir William Heygate, Bt Lord Mayor of London 1823 – 1824 Succeeded byJohn Garratt
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