Benedict Barnham

Born in a prominent drapers’ family of London as son of a Francis Barnham, merchant and public official, Benedict followed his family’s tradition and joined the Drapers’ Company serving on two terms as its master (1592-1593, 1596-1597). After his father’s death Barnham became the owner of a third of his father’s movable property, and lands in Essex, Surrey and Wales to which he later added that in Hampshire, Kent and Middlesex as well as in London.

His business success was followed by the successful public career as he was appointed alderman and sheriff of London in 1570. In his will he left numerous charitable bequests to various institutions such as Christ’s Hospital, the Bridewell, and the inmates of five London prisons.