John Gurney (1749–1809)
John Gurney | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Norwich, England |
| Died | October 28, 1809 (aged 59) |
| Occupation | Banker |
| Known for | Partner in Gurney's bank; father of Elizabeth Fry and Joseph John Gurney |
John Gurney (10 November 1749 – 28 October 1809) was a distinguished English banker and a member of the influential Gurney family based in Norwich. As a partner in Gurney's bank, he significantly contributed to the family's banking legacy. He was also the father of prominent social reformers Elizabeth Fry and Joseph John Gurney, the educational writer Louisa Hoare, and the banker Samuel Gurney.
Biography
John Gurney was born into a prosperous Quaker household and entered the family's banking operations following Bartlett Gurney’s death in 1802. By 1803, he and his brother Richard had become partners in Gurney's bank, which had been founded in 1770.
His residence was at Earlham Hall in Norwich. In 1775, he married Catherine Bell, daughter of Daniel Bell and Catherine Barclay, who hailed from the notable Barclay family—founders of Barclays Bank. Together, they had thirteen children, among whom were bankers Samuel and Daniel Gurney, reformers Elizabeth Fry and Joseph John Gurney, as well as Louisa Hoare, an author on education. After Catherine passed away in 1794, Elizabeth took on responsibilities for caring for her younger siblings.
The Gurneys were well known for their considerable wealth; this reputation was even referenced in Gilbert and Sullivan's 1875 comic opera "Trial by Jury", where a character claims to have become "as rich as the Gurneys."
Upon John Gurney’s death in 1809, his son Samuel assumed leadership of Gurney's Bank in Norwich. Samuel also took over the London billbroking firm Richardson, Overend & Company, which was subsequently renamed Overend, Gurney and Company. Under his guidance, it expanded to become the largest discounting house worldwide.
Descendants
John Gurney and Catherine Bell had thirteen children, though some died during childhood. Among their surviving offspring were:
- Elizabeth Gurney (1780–1845) ∞ 1800 Joseph Fry (1777–1861), with descendants
- Hannah Gurney (1783–1872) ∞ Sir Thomas Buxton, 1st Baronet (1786–1845), with descendants
- Louisa Gurney (1784–1836) ∞ 1806 Samuel Hoare (1783–1847), with descendants
- Samuel Gurney (1786–1856) ∞ 1808 Elizabeth Shepphard (d. 1855), with descendants
- Joseph John Gurney (1788–1847) ∞ (I) 1817 Jane Birkbeck (1789–1822), ∞ (II) 1827 Mary Fowler (1802–1835), ∞ (III) 1841 Eliza Paul Kirkbride (1801–1881), with descendants
- Daniel Gurney (1791–1880) ∞ 1822 Lady Harriet Jemima Hay (1803–1837), daughter of William Hay, 17th Earl of Erroll, with descendants