Peter Du Cane

Peter Du Cane was a leading 18th century British merchant and businessman who descended from a family of prominent and noble Huguenot refugees who escaped from Flanders and originally settled in Canterbury during the reign of the Queen Elisabeth I. The family’s occupation represented trade and banking.

Peter was able to amass the great wealth in land and fund holdings, as well as in marine insurance. His fortune was additionally augmented through a marriage with Mary Norris, a wealthy heiress and the only daughter of Henry Norris who was a successful Muscovy merchant and businessman.

During his lifetime, Peter Du Cane was a governor and director of the Bank of England, and director of the renowned East India Company. He was also High Sheriff of Essex in 1744-1745.