William Leighton (Lord Mayor of London) facts for kids
Sir William Leighton (born in 1752 – died on April 23, 1826) was an important British shipowner and merchant. He held a very important position as the Lord Mayor of London in 1806.
Leighton's family came from County Durham in the North East of England. After his father passed away, he moved to London around 1779. In London, Leighton became a coal merchant. This meant he shipped coal from the port of Newcastle. His business was based at Newcastle's Coal Exchange, a place where coal was traded.
A Life at Sea: Shipowner and Merchant
Sir William Leighton was a very successful shipowner. He owned several ships, including three famous ones that were part of the First Fleet. These ships were named Borrowdale, Fishburn, and Golden Grove. The First Fleet was a group of ships that sailed from Great Britain to Australia in 1788. They carried the first European settlers to the new British colony of New South Wales.
Leighton also owned other ships that helped the British Navy. These ships were used as military transports, carrying supplies and people to places like the British Province of Quebec in North America. Because he was so involved with ships and the sea, Leighton was a member of many different committees that dealt with shipping.
Becoming a Leader in London
Sir William Leighton was also very active in the government of the City of London. He was a member of the Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights, which was a type of trade guild or association. In 1799, he became an alderman for the City of London's Billingsgate area. An alderman is a senior member of a city council. He served in this role until 1821.
In 1803, Leighton was chosen as one of the Sheriffs of the City of London. Sheriffs had important duties in the city, including legal and ceremonial roles. His biggest achievement came in 1806 when he was named the Lord Mayor of London. This is a very high honor and a significant leadership position in the city. On May 1 of that year, he was also knighted, which means he was given the title "Sir." In 1825, Sir William Leighton was listed as one of the governors of Christ's Hospital, a famous school.
Sir William Leighton passed away in 1826 at Kemnal House in Kent. Before that, he had lived in Charlton.
