William Turner (London MP) facts for kids
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Sir William Turner (born September 12, 1615 – died February 9, 1693) was an important English leader. He served as a Sheriff, Lord Mayor, and Member of Parliament (M.P.) for the city of London. He was known for his success in business and for using his wealth to help others.
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Early Life and Moving to London
Sir William Turner was born in a town called Guisborough. He was the third son of John Turner. When William was young, his father bought a large property called the Kirkleatham Estate. His family then built Kirkleatham Hall there.
As he grew up, William Turner moved to London. There, he became a very successful woollen-draper. This means he was a merchant who sold woollen cloth.
Important Roles in London
Sir William Turner held many powerful positions in London:
- He became the leader, or Master, of the Merchant Taylors' Company in 1661. This was a very old and important group for cloth merchants. He led them again in 1684.
- From 1660 to 1687, he served as an Alderman for the City of London. An Alderman was a senior member of the city's government.
- He was chosen as a Sheriff of London for the year 1662–63. A Sheriff helped keep law and order in the city.
- Later, he became the Lord Mayor of London for 1668–69. This was the highest position in the city's government.
- In 1662, King Charles II made him a knight. This was a special honor for his hard work and public service.
Helping Others
Sir William Turner was a very generous person. He used much of his money to help people in need.
- From 1669 until he died, he was the president of two important hospitals: Bethlehem and Bridewell Hospital. These hospitals cared for the sick and those in poverty.
- He also served as a director for the East India Company for several years. This was a powerful trading company.
Sir William Turner's Hospital
In 1676, Sir William used a lot of his money to build a hospital in his home village of Kirkleatham. This hospital was called Sir William Turner's Hospital, or sometimes Almshouses. It was a place where older people could live and be cared for. The building was largely rebuilt in 1742 and has been used ever since. Inside its chapel, you can still see a special mask made of his face after he passed away.
Kirkleatham Free School
Sir William Turner never married. When he died in 1693, he left a large amount of money to his great-nephew, Cholmley Turner. This money was used to start a Free School in Kirkleatham. A Free School meant that children could attend without their families having to pay fees. Today, this old school building is no longer a school. Instead, it is a local museum where people can learn about the area's history.
Member of Parliament
Even at 75 years old, Sir William Turner continued to serve the public. In 1690, he was elected as a Member of Parliament (M.P.) for the City of London. He held this important political role until his death in 1693.
