John Wollaston (Lord Mayor) facts for kids

Sir John Wollaston (died 26 April 1658) was an English merchant. He became the Lord Mayor of London in 1643. The Lord Mayor is the leader of the City of London. It is a very important role.

Sir John Wollaston's Public Life

Sir John Wollaston was a successful merchant in London. He was also a member of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. This was a powerful group for people who worked with gold and silver.

Early Roles in London

Wollaston held many important jobs in London. From 1633 to 1634, and again from 1636 to 1637, he was a deputy-governor of the Irish Society. This group helped manage land in Ireland.

He served as a Sheriff of London from 1638 to 1639. A Sheriff helped keep law and order. On 5 February 1639, he was chosen as an alderman for the City of London. An alderman was a senior member of the city's government. He represented the Farringdon Without area. He was also the main leader of the Goldsmiths Company from 1639 to 1640.

A Growing Leader

In 1641, Sir John became a colonel in the London Trained Bands. These were like a local army for London. He was also made a knight on 3 December 1641. This meant he earned the title "Sir."

In 1642, he became an alderman for the Dowgate area. He also led the Yellow Regiment, London Trained Bands. He became the president of Bethlem and Bridewell. These were important hospitals and workhouses.

Becoming Lord Mayor

In 1643, Sir John Wollaston was chosen as the 307th Lord Mayor of London. This was a very high honor. He continued to serve as an alderman for Aldersgate from 1644 to 1647. Later, in 1649, he became the president of Christ's Hospital. This was a famous school and charity. He was elected alderman for Bridge Without in 1657.