Henry Hoare (banker) facts for kids

Henry Hoare by Michael Dahl

Memorial in St Peter's Church, Stourton

Henry Hoare I (1677–1725) was a very successful English banker and landowner. People often called him Good Henry. He played a big part in his family's banking business, which is still around today.

Henry Hoare I: A Life in Banking

Henry Hoare I was born in 1677. His father was Sir Richard Hoare, who started a famous banking company called C. Hoare & Co. This bank is one of the oldest in the United Kingdom.

Joining the Family Business

In August 1702, Henry became a partner in his father's bank. This meant he helped run the business. Together with his father, he also took on an important public role. In 1711, they became commissioners. Their job was to help build 50 new churches in London.

Leading the Bank

When his father passed away in 1719, Henry took over the main leadership of the bank. He faced a huge challenge very soon after. In 1720, there was a big financial crisis called the South Sea Bubble. Many people lost a lot of money during this time.

However, Henry was very smart. He managed the bank carefully through this difficult period. In fact, he made a profit of over £28,000 from the crisis. This showed how skilled he was at managing money and business.

Acquiring Stourhead Estate

In 1717, Henry bought a large piece of land called the Stourhead estate. He planned to build a new house there. Sadly, he died in 1725 before the new house was fully finished. His family would later complete it and make it famous.

Henry's Family

In 1702, Henry Hoare I married Jane Benson. They had three children together:

• Jane (who died in 1762)
• Henry Hoare II (1705–1785), who also became a very important banker.
• Sir Richard Hoare (1709–1754), who later became the Lord Mayor of London from 1745 to 1746.