Richard Ford (Southampton MP) facts for kids

Sir Richard Ford (born around 1614 – died August 31, 1678) was an English businessman and an important politician in London and for the whole country.

He was the younger son of Thomas Ford, a merchant from Exeter, Devon. Richard went to Exeter College, Oxford and later studied law at Gray's Inn.

Early Business Life

Richard Ford moved to Rotterdam, a city in the Netherlands, where he helped the King's side during the English Civil War. He became a member of a big trading group called the Merchant Adventurers by 1644. He was even the leader, or "governor," of this group from 1660 to 1675.

In 1652, he came back to England. He worked as a "Commissioner" for the East India Company, which was a very powerful trading company, from 1658 to 1663 and again from 1664 to 1665. He was also a Deputy Governor for another trading company in 1663. In 1660, he was given the special title of "Sir" (knighted) by the King.

Political Career

In 1661, Sir Richard Ford was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for Southampton. An MP is someone elected to represent people in the country's main law-making body. He was very active in Parliament and worked on many different committees.

That same year, he became an Alderman in London. An Alderman was an important official in the city government. A year later, he was made a Deputy Lieutenant for London. He held both these important jobs until he passed away.

Leading London

Sir Richard Ford was elected Sheriff of London for 1663–64. The Sheriff was a key officer responsible for law and order in the city. Later, he became the Lord Mayor of London from 1670 to 1671. The Lord Mayor is the most important leader of the City of London. He also worked on several other public groups, called Commissions, helping to manage important city matters.

Royal Society Member

In 1673, Sir Richard Ford was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very old and respected group of scientists and thinkers in the United Kingdom. Being a Fellow means he was recognized for his contributions to knowledge and learning.

Later Life

Sir Richard Ford died in 1678 and was buried in a place called Bexley. He was married to a woman named Grace, and they had two sons and three daughters.