Sir Thomas Gresham

Sit Thomas Gresham (1519-1579) was an English merchant and financier, the founder of the Royal Exchange, born in London. He was son of Sir Richard Gresham, a wealthy mercer, who was knighted and made Lord Mayor in Henry VIII's reign. After studying at Cambridge he entered the Mercers' Company, and in 1552, as "King's agent" in Antwerp, negotiated important loans with the Flemish merchants. Under the Catholic régime of Mary he was dismissed, but was shortly after restored, and in 1559 appointed ambassador in Antwerp. Between 1566 and 1571 he carried through his project of erecting an Exchange, and his munificence was further displayed in the founding of a college and eight almshouses. In 1569 he was instrumental in bringing about the important fiscal arrangement of borrowing from home merchants instead of as formerly from foreign merchants.

Nearby pages
Sir Thomas Hanmer, Sir Thomas Littleton, Sir Thomas MacDougall Brisbane, Sir Thomas Malory, Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, Sir Thomas Noon Talfourd