Sir Hugh Hamersley

Sir Hugh Hamersley was an English merchant and Lord Mayor of London in 1627.

His family held the estate at Pyrton Manor near Watlington, Oxfordshire. Hamersley built a career as a merchant in London. From 1601 he was a member of the Haberdasher's Company, at which he served as Master from 1619-1620 and from 1627-1628. During the 1620s he was on the board of several merchant companies, including the merchant companies of Russia, the Levant, East India, France, Virginia and Spain.

Hamersley also served in political positions, being Sheriff of the City of London in 1619. From 1619 to 1633 he served as Colonel of the City. After his mandate as Mayor of London from 1627-1628 he was knighted by King Charles I.

After his death a memorial was erected by his widow in the church of St Andrew Undershaft, London.

The famous Ashbourne portrait is believed to actually represent Hamersley, and not, as long thought, William Shakespeare. Currently it can be found in the Folger Shakespeare Library.