John Horsley Palmer
English banker and Governor of the Bank of England; (1779–1858)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Horsley Palmer (7 July 1779 – 7 February 1858) was an English banker who was Governor of the Bank of England from 1830 to 1833.[1]
John Horsley Palmer | |
|---|---|
| Born | 7 July 1779 |
| Died | 7 February 1858 (aged 78) |
| Occupation | Governor |
| Spouse |
Elizabeth Belli (m. 1810) |
Life
Palmer was the fourth son and seventh child of William Palmer of Wanlip, Leicestershire (1748?–1821)[2] and later of Nazeing Park, Essex, a London merchant, and his wife Mary Horsley (born 1747[2]), daughter of John Horsley the rector of Thorley, Hertfordshire, and sister of Samuel Horsley.[3] George Palmer (MP for South Essex) was his elder brother, and William Jocelyn Palmer Sir Ralph Palmer were also brothers.[4][3]
He was educated at Charterhouse School where in 1794 he took part in the first school cricket match against Westminster School.
Palmer became a Director of the Bank of England in 1811, remaining until 1857. He served as Deputy Governor of the bank from 1828 to 1830, and Governor from 1830 to 1833.[1][5] In June 2020 the Bank of England issued a public apology for the involvement of Palmer, amongst other employees, in the slave trade following the investigation by the Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British Slave-ownership at UCL.[6]
In 1820, he purchased Hurlingham House in Fulham.[7] He extended the property at Hurlingham by six acres, and let it to the brother of the Duke of Wellington.[7]
He was a member of Political Economy Club and published three books (or pamphlets), including The Causes and Consequences of the Pressure Upon the Money-market.[1]
Palmer died aged 78 and was buried in Catacomb B at Kensal Green Cemetery.[8]
Family
Palmer married Elizabeth Belli, daughter of John Belli and Elizabeth Stuart Cockerell, on 16 November 1810.[9] Her portrait was painted by Thomas Lawrence.[10]
