John Ward (banker)
Sir John Ward | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1650 |
| Died | 1726 |
| Occupation(s) | Merchant, banker, politician |
| Years active | 1694–1726 |
| Known for | Governor of the Bank of England, Lord Mayor of London, Member of Parliament |
Sir John Ward (circa 1650–1726), associated with Hookfield, Clay Hill, Epsom in Surrey and St Laurence Pountney, London, was a prominent British merchant, banker, and politician who held a seat in the House of Commons from 1701 until his death in 1726. He was among the founding Governors of the Bank of England and held the office of Lord Mayor of London in 1718.
Born as the second son to John Ward, a customs commissioner, and Elizabeth Vincent, Ward was nephew to Sir Patience Ward, who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1680. In 1684, he married Mary Bucknell, daughter of Sir William Bucknall of Oxhey Place, Hertfordshire. With the assistance of his father-in-law, he purchased Hookfield Park at Clay Hill, Epsom in 1700.
Ward played a key role as one of the inaugural directors of the Bank of England from 1694 to 1699. He advanced to Deputy Governor between 1699 and 1701 and subsequently served as Governor from 1701 to 1703. Afterward, he resumed his position as director until his passing. Additionally, he was a director at the East India Company during two periods: 1703–1707 and 1709–1711.
In 1701, Ward secured election as an unopposed Member of Parliament for Bletchingley, backed by Sir Robert Clayton. He maintained this seat without opposition through successive elections up to 1705. During the 1708 British general election, he successfully contested a seat representing the City of London. The following year, he became both Freeman and Master of the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors and was appointed alderman for Candlewick ward. Although he faced electoral defeats in 1710 and 1713, Ward was knighted in 1714.
He regained his parliamentary seat for the City of London at the 1715 British general election, served as Sheriff of London from 1715 to 1716, and was chosen as Lord Mayor of London for the term 1718–19. Opting not to contest the 1722 British general election, he later won a by-election representing Dunwich that same year.
Politically aligned with the Whig party, Ward frequently demonstrated independence and occasionally received Tory backing while representing the City of London. Towards the later stages of his career, he increasingly supported government policies within the City.
Ward passed away in March 1726, leaving behind one son and ten daughters.
See also
References
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- 1650s births
- 1726 deaths
- Year of birth uncertain
- Governors of the Bank of England
- British bankers
- Sheriffs of the City of London
- 18th-century lord mayors of London
- Deputy governors of the Bank of England
- Directors of the British East India Company
- Members of the Parliament of Great Britain for English constituencies
- British MPs 1708–1710
- British MPs 1715–1722
- British MPs 1722–1727
- Members of the Parliament of Great Britain for the City of London