Richard Wyche (merchant) facts for kids
Richard Wyche (pronounced Whyche) (1554–1621) was an important London ship owner, explorer, and merchant. He helped start big trading companies that explored new parts of the world.
Early Life and Family Roots
Richard Wyche was born in 1554 in a place called Davenham, in Cheshire, England. His father was also named Richard Wyche. Richard came from a family that had been important in London for a long time. One of his ancestors was even a Lord Mayor of London in the 1400s.
Adventures and Discoveries
Richard Wyche was a very active businessman and explorer. He was one of the first leaders of the English East India Company. This company was formed to trade with countries in Asia, like India. He also helped create the North West Company in 1612, which explored parts of North America. He was also involved with the Muscovy Company, which traded with Russia.
Because of his important work in exploration, several places were named after him:
- Wiche Islands (now called Kong Karls Land) were discovered in 1617.
- Wichebukta and Wichefjellet are places on the east coast of Spitsbergen, an island in the Arctic.
- Wiche Sound (now called Liefdefjorden and Woodfjorden) was discovered in 1614.
Family and Legacy
Richard Wyche, who was a Gentleman and a Mercer (a type of cloth merchant), married Elizabeth Saltonstall in London. Elizabeth's father, Sir Richard Saltonstall, was a Member of Parliament and also a Lord Mayor of London. Elizabeth's cousin, another Sir Richard Saltonstall, helped start a new settlement in America called the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630.
Richard and Elizabeth had many children. Some of their children and grandchildren became very important people:
- Their son, Nathaniel Wyche, lived in India and became the head of the East India Company there in the 1650s.
- Another son, Sir Peter Wyche, was an Ambassador to Constantinople (which was the capital of the Ottoman Empire, a powerful country far away).
- Sir Peter's children also became famous. His sons, Sir Cyril Wyche and Sir Peter Wyche, were among the first members of the British Royal Society. This was a very important group of scientists.
- His daughter, Lady Jane Wyche, married John Granville, 1st Earl of Bath. She became the Countess of Bath and was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Henrietta Maria of France, who was the Queen Consort (wife) of King Charles I of England.
Richard Wyche passed away on November 20, 1621, and was buried in London.
