William Lidderdale
William Lidderdale | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire |
| Died | June 26, 1902 (aged 69) 55 Montagu Square, London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Merchant, Banker |
| Years active | 1857–1893 |
| Known for | Governor of the Bank of England (1889–1892) |
William Lidderdale (4 July 1832 – 26 June 1902) was a British merchant and served as the governor of the Bank of England between 1889 and 1892.
Life
Lidderdale was born to British parents at the British Chaplaincy in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and received his education in Birkenhead, Cheshire. Initially, he was employed by Russian trading firm Heath and Co before moving to the Liverpool-based merchant company Rathbone Brothers. From 1857 until 1863, he managed their New York branch. Promoted to partner in 1864, he subsequently founded Rathbone’s office in London.
He joined the Board of Directors at the Bank of England in 1870, advanced to Deputy Governor in 1887, and then assumed the role of Governor in 1889. His governorship is notably remembered for his leadership during the Barings crisis amid the 'Panic of 1890'. Barings had become heavily exposed through underwriting Argentine debt, which collapsed due to political instability and poor financial oversight. Lidderdale orchestrated a successful rescue by assembling a consortium, an effort that earned him the Freedom of the City of London and appointment to the British Privy Council.
His residence was at Ascot Place, North Ascot, Winkfield, Berkshire. In 1893, he took on the role of commissioner for the Patriotic Fund and also presided over the Corporation of Foreign Bondholders' council.
Lidderdale passed away on 26 June 1902 at his home located at 55 Montagu Square, London, and was laid to rest at Winkfield near Windsor.
Family
In 1868, Lidderdale wed Mary Martha Busk, daughter of Wadsworth Dawson Busk from Winkfield (formerly based in St. Petersburg). They had eight children in total; four sons and three daughters outlived him.
Cultural references
- Appears as a minor figure in Stone's Fall, a historical mystery novel authored by Iain Pears.
References
- Attribution
External links
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- 1832 births
- 1902 deaths
- Expatriates in the Russian Empire
- 19th-century British merchants
- Governors of the Bank of England
- Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom
- People from Winkfield
- Deputy governors of the Bank of England
- 19th-century English businesspeople