Sir Stephen Jenyns

Stephen Jenyns was a London merchant and official remembered as the first merchant taylor appointed to the post of Lord mayor of London.

Born at Wolverhampton, Staffordshire Jenyns was sent to London where he became an apprentice to a merchant taylor. By 1495 he opened a shop in the parish of All Saints-the-Great and built a prosperous business. As the master of the Merchant Taylors' Company he initiated financial reforms in the guild during the term of his office.

During his public career, Jenyns served as sheriff in 1498 and alderman in 1499. Being elected lord mayor for 1508-1509, he became the first merchant taylor to attain that honour. Soon afterwards he was knighted at the coronotation ceremonies of Henry VIII in 1509.

Jenyns was known for his philanthropic work and as the founder of the Wolverhampton grammar school.