Isaac Penington

Isaac Penington was a prominent English merchant and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London and sat in the House of Commons (1640-1643).

Born into a merchant family, Penington followed the family tradition and became a member of the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers and eventually made a fortune in trade of cloth and French wine. Later, in 1640 he was elected a prime warden of the company, and from 1644 until 1654 he served as Governor of the Levant Company.

Penington also owned a share in the brewery business of his second’s wife family and several holdings in East Anglia inherited from his father. From 1626 he was active as financial agent of his cousin Admiral John Penington.

His engagement in politics began with his election for the sheriff (1638), alderman for Bridge Without (1639), Member of Parliament (1640) and Mayor of London (1642). He was made a knight in 1649.

Penington was a commissioner of the High Court of Justice which brought the death warrant for the king Charles II, although he was not among the signatories. After the restoration, he was imprisoned for a high treason in the Tower of London where he died in 1661.