John Twells
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John Twells (1776–1866) was an English banker who was partner in private bank Spooner, Attwood & Co and deputy chairman of the London & Greenwich Railway.
Life
He was born on 27 June 1776.[1] On his own account, he went into banking in 1801. He became a partner in the private bank Spooner, Attwood & Co. of Gracechurch Street, London, around 1816 together with Isaac Spooner.[2][3][4]
Twells was the initial deputy chairman of the London & Greenwich Railway in 1834, resigning in 1837.[5] He gave evidence to the 1857 Parliamentary Select Committee on the working of the Bank Charter Act 1844.[6] He approved of the Bank Restriction Act 1797.[4] On early colonial scrip, Twells commented that
"In a bad hour, the British Parliament took away from America its representative money [...]"[7]
Karl Marx picked up on his comment that the 1844 Act had been profitable for bankers, while disadvantaging merchants and those in business in a small way.[8]
Twells died on 10 March 1866.[1] How can paper money increase the wealth of a nation? (1867, anonymous)[9] was by his son John.[10]
Family and connections
Twells married Mary Line, daughter of Joseph Line of Alum Rock, Worcestershire, and they had two sons, the Rev. John Twells and Philip Twells M.P.[1][11] Matthias Attwood M.P. was a connection in the London & Greenwich, where he was treasurer, and in the bank.[3] He was also a connection by marriage, having married Susanna Twells, daughter of Twells's brother William.[12]
Twells & Co., the Birmingham manufacturers, proprietor Philip M. Twells, were related. They supplied a locomotive to the London & Greenwich, No. 8 Thames, in 1838, thought to be a one-off.[13] It has been suggested that they acted only as agents.[14] Philip Mellor Twells was a Birmingham brass and copper tube manufacturer.[15] Edward Twells was son of Philip Mellor Twells of Ashted.[16]