Richard Whittington

Born into a wealthy Gloucestershire family, as younger son he did not stand to inherit any estate so he was sent to London to learn the trade of mercer. He became successful, selling luxury fabrics to the Royal Court. 

He became a Councilman, then Alderman before being appointed Sheriff. He took the vacancy of Lord Mayor after a previous Mayor died suddenly, and negotiated a deal in which the City brought back its liberties for £10,000 (about £4m today)

He was a popular elected Mayor, and was noted for lending King Henry V large amounts of money, collecting revenues and import duties and donating profits to the City. He actually served three and a bit terms as Mayor.

He was responsible for the rebuilding of the Guildhall, a home for unmarried mothers, and the City's first public toilet, known as a Whittington Longhouse, with seats for 64 men and 64 women. It was cleansed by the River Thames at high tide.

He is buried at St Michaels Paternoster Royal.  

The pantomime Dick Whittington and his Cat is based very loosely on his life, although he was never poor, nor kept a cat.  Dick Whittington never existed. 

A 17th century engraving of him replaced an original skull he was holding with a cat, which is out of proportion