Thomas Povey facts for kids

Thomas Povey (born around 1613 or 1614 – died before 1705) was a successful merchant and politician from London. He was a member of the Royal Society, a group of important scientists. From the 1650s, he worked a lot with the English colonies overseas. He was good at staying neutral in politics, which helped him become a member of King Charles II's Council for Foreign Plantations in 1660. He was a powerful person in the early British Empire, known as "England's first colonial civil servant." However, some people like Samuel Pepys and William Berkeley, who was the Governor of Virginia, sometimes complained about his work.

Early Life and Career

Thomas Povey was the son of Justinian Povey from London. He studied at Gray's Inn, which is a place where lawyers are trained. He was related to other important people named Thomas Povey, who was the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, and Sir John Povey, who was a chief judge in Ireland.

Thomas Povey became a Member of Parliament for Liskeard in 1646 and for Bossiney in 1659. During the time of Oliver Cromwell, he held an important job in the government office that managed the colonies.

Working for the King

After King Charles II returned to the throne, Thomas Povey was made Treasurer to the king's brother, James, Duke of York, in July 1660. This meant he managed the Duke's money. Later, in 1668, he left this job.

Povey was also the first Treasurer for the Lords Commissioner for Tangier, a city that was under English control at the time. This was a very profitable job. Later, Samuel Pepys, who helped organize the English navy, took over this role. Povey and Pepys had an agreement about the money from this job.

Family and Colonial Business

The Povey family had many business interests in the English colonies in the Caribbean. Thomas's brother, Richard Povey, managed the family's business in Jamaica. Another brother, William, took care of things in Barbados.

Royal Society and Interests

Thomas Povey was one of the first members of the Royal Society when it started in May 1663. This society was a group of people who studied science and new ideas. He even suggested that Samuel Pepys should become a member in 1665.

John Evelyn, who was also a member of the Royal Society, described Povey as someone who liked elegant things and was very formal. As a member, Povey wrote about how brass was made in 1693. He also wrote a report about King Louis XIV's Hôtel des Invalides in France. King Charles II used this idea to build the Royal Hospital Chelsea in England, which was a home for old soldiers.

Povey's Homes

Because of his jobs for the Crown, Povey had apartments in Whitehall Palace. He also had a beautiful house in London, near Lincoln's Inn Fields. John Evelyn visited this house in 1664 and noted its excellent paintings and decorations. Samuel Pepys also liked Povey's stables, which were neatly designed with washable Delft tiles.

Povey also inherited Hounslow Priory, a property west of London, from his father. It was sold in 1671. He gave the Royal Society a painting that he believed was of the historian George Buchanan and painted by Titian.

Later Career and Family Connections

From 1675 to 1685, Povey worked as a Master of Requests. In this role, he received requests from people and presented them to the Privy Council for review.

Povey helped his nephew, William Blathwayt, start his career. It is also thought that Povey's influence helped his son-in-law, Giles Bland, get a job as a customs collector in Virginia. Some paintings from Povey's art collection are still at Blathwayt's house, Dyrham Park, in Gloucestershire. Povey's old letters and records are kept in the British Library.

Family Life

Thomas Povey married Mary, who was the daughter of John Adderly. Mary was also the widow of John Agard.

His daughter Sarah married Robert Leveson. They had three sons, including Richard Leveson, who became a soldier and politician. Another daughter, also named Sarah, married Giles Bland.