Peter Blundell facts for kids
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Peter Blundell (born around 1520, died 1601) was a very successful clothier. This means he bought and sold large amounts of cloth. He traded between Tiverton in Devon and London. He passed away in April 1601. Peter Blundell never married and had no known children.
When he died, he left a huge amount of money, over £32,000, to many people. This included other clothiers and their families, as well as his employees. He also set up several special funds, called charitable trusts, to help others. Most famously, he gave £2400 to build Blundell's School in Tiverton. This school was meant to be a free grammar school, meaning students could attend without paying fees.
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Who Was Peter Blundell?
Peter Blundell was an important businessman in England during the 1500s. He made his fortune by trading cloth. This was a very important business at the time. He helped connect towns like Tiverton with the big city of London.
A Successful Cloth Merchant
Peter Blundell was known as a "clothier." This job involved buying wool from farmers. Then, he would arrange for it to be spun into yarn and woven into cloth. Finally, he would sell this cloth, often in London. His hard work and smart business choices made him very wealthy.
His Amazing Legacy: Blundell's School
One of Peter Blundell's most lasting gifts was Blundell's School. He wanted to create a place where young people could get a good education for free. This was very unusual and generous for his time. The school was built in Tiverton, his home area. It opened its doors to students after his death.
Helping Students Go to University
Peter Blundell also cared about students continuing their education. In his will, he left £2000 to help six students from Blundell's School. These students, known as "Blundell Scholars," would study "Divinity." This meant they would study religious subjects at the famous Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Special arrangements were made for them to attend Balliol College at Oxford and Sidney Sussex College at Cambridge.
Where He Was Buried
Peter Blundell was buried on May 9, 1601. His burial place is at St Michael Paternoster Royal church in London. This church is a historic building in the heart of the city.
A Football Ground Named After Him
You might be surprised to learn that a football stadium is named after Peter Blundell! Blundell Park is located in Cleethorpes. It has been the home ground of Grimsby Town Football Club since 1899. The land for the park was bought by Sidney Sussex College in 1616. They were able to buy it thanks to money left by Peter Blundell.
