Lewes Roberts facts for kids
Sir Lewes Roberts (1596–1641) was an important British merchant and writer. He was also known as Captain Lewis Roberts. He worked with a trading group called the Levant Company.
Contents
Early Life and Journeys
Lewes Roberts was born in 1596 in Beaumaris, Anglesey. His father, Gabriel Roberts, was a successful merchant. Lewes had hoped to go to university, but instead, he started working in business. In 1612, he became an apprentice to Thomas Harvey, a merchant in London.
As an apprentice, Lewes traveled a lot for Harvey's business. He visited places like Newfoundland, Spain, and North Africa. He also lived in France, Italy, and parts of Asia. After Harvey passed away in 1623, Lewes was able to join the Levant Company. This company traded with countries in the Middle East. In 1625, he also joined another important trading group called the Merchant Adventurers.
Life in London
In 1626, Lewes Roberts married Anne Williamott. Her father was also a merchant. Lewes later bought shares in the East India Company, which was a very powerful trading company.
In 1628, he became a captain in the Honourable Artillery Company. This group helped train officers for the city's local defense forces, known as the trained bands. The next year, he became a full citizen of London and joined the Drapers Company. He was very active in the Levant Company, serving as an assistant and then as its "husband" (a manager) for many years. He was also a director for the East India Company from 1639 to 1640.
Lewes Roberts had a home in Threadneedle Street in London and a country house in Bromley, Kent.
A Talented Writer
Lewes Roberts was well-educated. Even though he didn't go to university, he loved to write. He wrote poems that appeared in his friends' books. He was friends with other writers, including Izaak Walton.
His most famous book was The Merchants Mappe of Commerce, published in 1638. This book was a big success among merchants. It was reprinted many times until the year 1700.
Ideas on Trade
In 1641, Roberts published another important book called The Treasure of Traffike, or, A Discourse of Forraigne Trade. In this book, he explained how exporting goods (selling them to other countries) was good for a country. He also showed how importing goods (buying from other countries) could help local industries.
He believed that goods that were re-exported (bought from one country and sold to another) should not be taxed. His ideas about trade were studied and used for over a hundred years.
His Family
Lewes Roberts and his wife Anne had several children. Some of their children and grandchildren became very important people in trade and government. For example, his son Gabriel became a leader in the African Company of Merchants. Another son, William, was also a key figure in the Levant and Royal African Companies. His daughter Anne was the mother of John Hanger, who became a governor of the Bank of England.
Lewes Roberts passed away in London in 1641. He was buried next to his wife Anne, who died in 1665.
Works by Lewes Roberts
- The Merchants Mappe of Commerce; wherein the Vniversall Manner and Matter of Trade is compendiously handled, &c., London, 1638. This was one of the first detailed books about trade in English.
- Warre-fare epitomised, 1640.
- The Treasure of Traffike, or a Discourse of Forraigne Trade, &c. Dedicated to the High Court of Parliament now assembled,' London, 1641.
