Sir Francis Eyles, 1st Baronet facts for kids
Sir Francis Eyles, 1st Baronet (who passed away on May 24, 1716) was an important English merchant. He was the head of the Bank of England for a time and also received a special title called a baronet from the King.
Contents
A Life in Business
From Wool to London Trade
Sir Francis Eyles grew up in Wiltshire, a county in England. His father, John Eyles, worked with wool, buying and selling it. Francis started his business journey with his older brother, Sir John Eyles. Their company was known as "Eyles & Co."
Francis became a very successful "haberdasher" in London. A haberdasher sells small items for sewing, like buttons, ribbons, and thread. He was also a well-known merchant, trading many different goods.
Important Roles in London
Sir Francis took on several important roles in the City of London. From 1710 to 1711, he served as a Sheriff of the City. Sheriffs were important officials who helped manage the city and enforce laws.
After that, starting in January 1711, he became an Alderman for the area called Bridge Without. An Alderman was a senior member of the city council, helping to make decisions for London. He held this position until he passed away.
Leading the Bank of England
Sir Francis Eyles was also a director of the East India Company. This was a very powerful British trading company that did business all over the world.
In 1697, he became a director of the Bank of England. The Bank of England is the central bank of the United Kingdom. It plays a big role in managing the country's money. Sir Francis first served as its Deputy Governor. Later, from 1707 to 1709, he was elected as the Governor of the Bank of England, which means he was the head of the entire bank!
A Special Title from the King
On December 1, 1714, Sir Francis Eyles received a special honor. He was made a baronet. This title is given by the King and is passed down through the family. He was one of the very first people to receive this title from King George I.
Family and Legacy
Sir Francis Eyles married Elizabeth Ayley, whose father was also a merchant in London. They were married around 1673 or earlier.
They had several children, but only two sons lived to adulthood. Their son John later became a Member of Parliament (an MP). An MP is a person elected to represent people in the country's government. John also inherited his father's baronet title. Their other son, Joseph, also became an MP. Sadly, three other sons and a daughter passed away before their parents.
Sir Francis Eyles passed away on May 24, 1716. He was buried on June 5, 1716, at a church called St Helen's Bishopsgate in London.
