John Pearse (politician)

John Pearse
Born	c.1760 Middlesex, England
Died	1836
Occupation(s)	Businessman, politician
Years active	1790–1832
Known for	Governor of the Bank of England (1810–1812), MP for Devizes (1818–1832)

John Pearse (circa 1760–1836), associated with 50 Lincoln's Inn Fields, Middlesex and Chilton Lodge near Hungerford, Berkshire, was a prominent English businessman and politician.

He represented Devizes as a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1818 until 1832.

Pearse held multiple positions at the Bank of England, serving as a director during 1790–1791, 1793–1808, and again from 1812 to 1828. He advanced to deputy governor between 1808 and 1810, followed by governor from 1810 to 1812. Together with his brother, he was the senior partner of J. and B. Pearse and Company, a London-based firm specializing in wool trading and military clothing supply. The company gained profitable contracts during the Napoleonic Wars, largely due to Pearse’s connection with the Duke of York, then commander-in-chief.

In 1787, Pearse wed Anne Phillimore, daughter of a silk merchant from London, and they had six children. His residence at Chilton Lodge, near Wiltshire, underwent redesign by architect Sir John Soane between 1789 and 1793; however, displeased with the result, Pearse later commissioned Sir William Pilkington to reconstruct the property. He also held military leadership roles locally, acting as Captain Commandant of the Hungerford Volunteers and serving as Captain in the Bank of England Volunteers.

During his tenure as MP for Devizes, Pearse was engaged in regional matters and supported Lord Liverpool’s government. He frequently spoke in Parliament on behalf of the Bank of England. Despite his standing among constituents, he chose not to contest the 1832 election. Pearse championed governmental safeguarding of cultural heritage and contributed portions of his collection to the Crown Estate.

In correspondence with Peel in 1835, Pearse announced his plan to retire from parliamentary duties due to advancing age but extended his best wishes to the administration. He passed away unexpectedly in July 1836. His obituary highlighted his conservative principles alongside his educational contributions, notably founding a national school in Devizes. Interment took place at Chilton Foliat within a family mausoleum. His will bequeathed the majority of his estate, valued below £40,000, to his eldest son John.