Sir John Reid, 2nd Baronet
Sir John Rae Reid, 2nd Baronet | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1791 Scotland |
| Died | 1867 |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, financier, politician |
| Years active | 1820–1847 |
| Known for | Governor of the Bank of England (1839–1841); Member of Parliament for Dover (1830–1831, 1832–1847) |
Sir John Rae Reid, 2nd Baronet (1791–1867) was a Scottish businessman, financier, and Conservative Party politician who held a seat in the House of Commons from 1830 until 1847.
Early life
Born to Sir Thomas Reid of Ewell Grove and Elizabeth Goodfellow, Reid succeeded to the baronetcy in 1824.
Political career
Reid served as the Member of Parliament for Dover in Kent during two periods: first from 1830 to 1831, and then from 1832 through to 1847.
Involvement in slavery
Research by the Legacies of British Slave-Ownership at University College London reveals that Reid was compensated under the Slave Compensation Act 1837 following the enactment of the Slavery Abolition Act 1833. He was associated with seventeen claims and held ownership of more than 3,000 enslaved individuals across territories including British Guiana, Jamaica, St Kitts, Trinidad, and the British Virgin Islands. The compensation he received amounted to over £62,000, which corresponds to several million pounds in current value.
Professional background
As head of Reid, Irving & Co., Reid also held a directorship at the Bank of England from 1820 until 1847. During this period, he occupied the roles of Deputy Governor from 1837 to 1839 and then Governor between 1839 and 1841. In June 2020, following findings by UCL’s Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British Slave-ownership, the Bank of England issued a formal apology acknowledging Reid’s participation in the slave trade.
Personal details
Reid was married to Maria Louisa, daughter of Richard Eaton from Stetchworth Park, Cambridgeshire. Together they had three children: two sons and one daughter.