Peter Thellusson

Peter Thelluson was born in Paris as the descendent of the French Huguenot banking family. His father Isaac Thelluson, a citizen of Geneva settled at Paris around that time and established one of the first banking houses in the city. After his father’s death in 1762, Peter went to London and became naturalized as an Englishmen. He established himself as a merchant and banker, and formed a partnership with Necker, the company’s clerk who would later become the famous financier. Peter was put in charge for the London branch, while Necker, who remained in France, was responsible for the business dealings of the Paris branch of the banking house.

Both partners became eventually wealthy through loans to the treasury and speculations in grain. Peter was also involved in other businesses - he was the director of the Bank of England, part owner of several sugar refineries, and an importer of tobacco and sugar from the West Indies. In his ownership were large estates in the West Indies, as well as property in England.

At the time of his death, his wealth was worth around £800,000 or over £3.8bn in today’s terms.