Sir Everard Fawkener

Sir Everard Fawkener was an English merchant and diplomat who made his fortune trading in silk. He was born into a London family of silk merchants and he himself was, like his father William, prospered in the silk trade. Everard remained engrossed in business until fifty years of age.

Everard is also remembered as a personal friend of Voltaire who spent three years in Everard’s house during his stay in England from 1726 to 1729. The third edition of Voltaire’s tragedy of “Zaïre” was dedicated to Fawkener. In 1735 Fawkener was knighted and sent as ambassador to Constantinople. After his appointment at Constantinople he became a secretary to the Duke of Cumberland, the favorite son of George II, and he accompanied him throughout the campaigns on the continent and in Scotland. In recognition of his services during the expedition in Flanders the very lucrative office of joint postmaster-general, in conjunction with the Earl of Leicester, was conferred on him on 28 May 1745, which he retained until his death.

Sir Everard Fawkener died at Bath on 16 November 1758.