Hugh Myddelton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Hugh Myddelton, Bt
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Portrait of Sir Hugh by Cornelius Johnson
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| Member of Parliament for Denbigh Boroughs | |
| In office 1604–1629 |
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| Preceded by | John Panton |
| Succeeded by | Parliament suspended until 1640 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1560 Denbighshire, Wales |
| Died | 10 December 1631 (aged 71) London, England |
| Spouses |
Anne Collins Edwards
(m. 1585; died 1597)Elizabeth Olmstead
(m. 1598) |
| Relations | Thomas Myddelton (brother) Robert Myddelton (brother) |
| Children | 16 |
| Parents | Richard Myddelton Jane Dryhurst |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | New River |
Sir Hugh Myddelton, also spelled Middleton, was an amazing Welsh businessman and engineer. He lived from 1560 to 1631. He was known for many things, like making clothes, owning mines, and being a goldsmith. But his most famous achievement was building the New River. This was a huge project that brought clean water to London.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Hugh Myddelton was born in 1560 in a place called Galch Hill in Denbighshire, Wales. He was one of many children. His father, Richard Myddelton, was in charge of Denbigh Castle and was also a Member of Parliament. Hugh had several brothers, including Thomas Myddelton, who became the Lord Mayor of London.
Hugh Myddelton's Career
Hugh Myddelton moved to London to start his career. He became a successful goldsmith, which is someone who works with gold. He was so good that King James I made him the Royal Jeweller.
He also became involved in politics in his hometown of Denbigh. He was elected as a Member of Parliament for Denbigh Boroughs in 1603. He kept this job until 1628. Besides all this, he was a very rich merchant and made a lot of money from selling cloth.
Building the New River
Hugh Myddelton is most famous for leading the building of the New River. This was a very big engineering project. Its goal was to bring fresh, clean water to the city of London.
Another person, Edmund Colthurst, had started the project, but he ran out of money. Myddelton stepped in to help. He put a lot of his own money into it. He also got help from King James I.
The New River was built between 1608 and 1613. It was officially opened on September 29, 1613. The river was about 42 miles long. At first, it didn't make much money, and it cost Myddelton a lot. But in 1612, King James I gave him some money to help.
In 1619, the New River Company was created. This was one of the first companies where many people owned parts of it (a joint-stock company). Myddelton was in charge of it. This company was very important for London's water supply for almost 300 years.
Mining Adventures
Myddelton also made a lot of money from mining. In 1617, he found lead and silver in mines in Cardiganshire, Wales. To get the metals out, he had to build aqueducts. These were like water channels that helped power the machines used to crush the ore.
Because of his great engineering work, especially a project on the Isle of Wight, King James I made him a baronet in 1622. This was a special title given by the King.
Hugh Myddelton's Personal Life
Hugh Myddelton was married twice. His first wife was Anne Collins Edwards. They got married in 1585. After she passed away in 1597, he married Elizabeth Olmstead in 1598. Between his two wives, he had many children, ten sons and six daughters! One of his sons, William, also became a Member of Parliament.
Hugh Myddelton passed away in December 1631 in London. He was buried in a church called St. Matthew Friday Street. His son William took over his baronet title.
Memorials and Legacy
Today, there are several ways people remember Sir Hugh Myddelton.
- You can find a statue of him on Islington Green in London.
- There's another statue of him at the Royal Exchange, London.
- A stone memorial is dedicated to him on an island in the New River at Great Amwell.
- A blue plaque marks where he used to live in Enfield.
Many places in London are named after him because of his important work:
- Myddelton Square in Clerkenwell is named after him, as are Myddelton Passage and Myddleton Street.
- Schools and buildings like Hugh Myddelton Primary School and Myddelton House are also named in his honor.
- Myddelton Avenue in Finsbury Park and Myddleton Road in Ware and Bowes Park also carry his name.
Images for kids
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The New Gauge House (1856) where water from the River Lea enters the New River.
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Statue of Sir Hugh Myddelton on Islington Green.
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Statue of Sir Hugh Myddelton on the Royal Exchange, London.
