Sir Hugh Clopton

Hugh Clopton was a London mercer and Lord Mayor of London remembered as benefactor of his home town Stratford-upon-Avon.

Born around 1440, Clopton was sent on apprenticeship to John Roo, a London mercer and was admitted to the Worshipful Company of Mercers six years later. He served as warden of the Company on three occasions (1479, 1484 and 1488). In a short time Clopton established himself as a wealthy and successful mercer of London. His business prominence and wealth enabled him to obtain political power and honours. He served as Lord Mayor of London and received a knighthood in 1491.

At the time of his death Clopton’s fortune was worth around £15,000 or £4.1bn in today’s terms.

It is an interesting fact that Clapton build a house in Stratford which later became Shakespeare’s main home from 1597, until his death in 1616.