List of lord mayors of London facts for kids
The Lord Mayor of London is a very important leader for the City of London, which is the historic heart of London. This person is like the "first citizen" of the City. The role involves leading the City of London Corporation, which is the local government for this special area.
For a long time, until 1354, the leader was simply called the Mayor of London. After that, the title changed to Lord Mayor of London. In 2006, the longer title Lord Mayor of the City of London was sometimes used to avoid confusion with the mayor of London, who leads the wider Greater London area. However, the official and most common title is still Lord Mayor of London.
The Lord Mayor is usually chosen on Michaelmas Day (September 29th), unless that day falls on a Sunday. The new Lord Mayor officially starts their job in the second week of November. So, the year they are elected isn't always the main year they serve.
Who are the Lord Mayors of London?
The Lord Mayor of London is a very old and important position. This person is the head of the City of London Corporation, which is like the local government for the "Square Mile" of London. This area is known for its financial businesses. The Lord Mayor acts as a global ambassador for the UK's financial services.
What is a Livery Company?
Many Mayors and Lord Mayors have been part of a "livery company". These are ancient trade groups or guilds in London. They started hundreds of years ago to protect the interests of different trades, like Mercers (cloth merchants) or Goldsmiths. Today, they are mostly charitable and social organizations, but they still play a big role in choosing the Lord Mayor.
Early Mayors (Before 1354)
The very first Mayor of London was Henry fitz Ailwin, who started in 1189. He served for a very long time, 24 terms, and died while still in office! In these early days, the Mayor was a powerful figure in the city. Sometimes, the King would even appoint a "Royal Warden" instead of the city electing its own Mayor.
Here are a few examples of early Mayors and their livery companies:
| Term | Name | Mother Livery Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1189–1212 | Henry FitzAilwin | (Draper) | First Mayor of London. |
| 1214 | Serlo le Mercer | (Mercer) | Served five terms. |
| 1231–1237 | Andrew Buckerell | (Pepperer) | Served seven terms; died in office. |
| 1274–1280 | Gregory de Rokesley | (Goldsmith) | Served eight terms. |
| 1285–1289 | Sir Ralph Sandwich | n/a | Served as Royal Warden. |
The First Lord Mayors (From 1354)
The title changed to "Lord Mayor" in 1354. Sir Thomas Legge was the very first person to hold this new title. He had already served as Mayor before. Many Lord Mayors served multiple terms, showing their importance and influence in the city.
Here are some examples of Lord Mayors from different centuries:
14th Century Lord Mayors
| Elected | Name | Mother Livery Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1354 | Sir Thomas Legge | Skinner | First Lord Mayor of London. |
| 1374 | Sir William Walworth | Fishmonger | Famous for his role in the Peasants' Revolt. |
| 1397 | Sir Richard Whittington | Mercer | Served four terms; a very famous Lord Mayor. |
15th Century Lord Mayors
| Elected | Name | Mother Livery Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1406 | Sir Richard Whittington | Mercer | Served his third term. |
| 1445 | Sir Simon Eyre | Draper | |
| 1482 | Sir Edmund Shaa | Goldsmith |
16th Century Lord Mayors
| Elected | Name | Mother Livery Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1501 | Sir John Shaw | Goldsmith | |
| 1537 | Sir Richard Gresham | Mercer | Father of Sir Thomas Gresham, who founded the Royal Exchange. |
| 1583 | Sir Edward Osborne | Clothworker |
17th Century Lord Mayors
| Elected | Name | Mother Livery Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1601 | Sir John Gerard | Haberdasher | |
| 1641 | Sir Richard Gurney, 1st Baronet | Clothworker | |
| 1666 | Sir William Bolton | Merchant Taylor | Served during the Great Fire of London. |
18th Century Lord Mayors
| Elected | Name | Mother Livery Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1701 | Sir William Gore | Mercer | |
| 1762 | Sir William Beckford, MP | Goldsmith | Served two terms. |
| 1790 | John Boydell | Stationer |
19th Century Lord Mayors
| Elected | Name | Mother livery company | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1801 | Sir John Eamer | Salter | |
| 1815–1816 | Sir Matthew Wood, 1st Baronet | Fishmonger | |
| 1884 | George Nottage | Spectacle Maker | The last Lord Mayor to die in office. |
20th Century Lord Mayors
| Elected | Name | Mother Livery Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 | Sir Joseph Dimsdale, 1st Baronet | Grocer | |
| 1915 | Sir Charles Wakefield, 1st Baronet | Haberdasher | Later became Viscount Wakefield. |
| 1983 | Dame Mary Donaldson | Gardener | The first female Lord Mayor. |
21st Century Lord Mayors
| Elected | Name | Mother Livery Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Sir Michael Oliver | Ironmonger | |
| 2013 | Dame Fiona Woolf | Solicitor | The second female Lord Mayor. |
| 2019–2020 | Sir William Russell | Haberdasher | Served a two-year term because of the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| 2023–2024 | Michael Mainelli | World Trader | The first American-born Lord Mayor. |
| 2024–present | Alastair King | Mason |
Learn More
- Timeline of London
- List of sheriffs of London
