Richard Hoare (banker)

Sir Richard Hoare
Born	1648 Near Smithfield Market, London, England
Died	1719-01-06
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, Banker, Politician
Years active	1665–1718
Known for	Founder of C. Hoare & Co; Lord Mayor of London (1712)

Sir Richard Hoare (1648 – 6 January 1719) was the English entrepreneur who established C. Hoare & Co, recognized as the longest-standing bank in the United Kingdom.

Business career

Born and raised near Smithfield Market in London, Richard Hoare was the sole offspring of Henry Hoare, a horse trader, and his wife Cicely. His professional journey commenced in 1665 when he was apprenticed to goldsmith Richard Moore for a seven-year term. On 5 July 1672, he obtained the Freedom of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, an event that marked the inception of C. Hoare & Co as a goldsmith enterprise located at the Golden Bottle in Cheapside, London.

Political career

Aligned with the Tory party, Hoare unsuccessfully vied for the position of Sheriff of London in June 1702 but received knighthood from Queen Anne in October of that year. He assumed the role of alderman in 1703. Hoare contested parliamentary seats representing London in 1705 and 1708 but was defeated by candidates from the Whig party. In 1710, he attempted to unseat Whig leader Sir Gilbert Heathcote in the mayoral race without success; however, he was appointed Sheriff of London and secured election to Parliament by coming second in the poll. After also competing in the 1711 election, Hoare attained the office of Lord Mayor of London in September 1712. He secured re-election to Parliament in 1713 but chose not to run in 1715, retreating from public duties due to declining health in 1718. He passed away at Hendon on 6 January 1719.

A memorial dedicated to Hoare is located at St Dunstan-in-the-West church, crafted by Thomas Stayner.

Family

Hoare was married to Susanna Austen; together they had seventeen children, among whom was Henry Hoare I.