Thomas Pitt

Thomass Pitt, also known as Diamond Pitt, was an English merchant involved in the trade with the East who served as governor of Madras in India.

In 1674, attracted by the lucrative trade with East, Pitt left England and went to Balasore, India. Since he didn’t have permission to trade from the English East India Company which held a monopoly, he was arrested and fined. However, with part of earned fortune, Pitt was able to buy the manor of Stratford and its surrounding borough Old Sarum that ensured to his family the seat in the House of Commons.

In 1693 he went to India on another trading venture. The English East India Company, unable to stop his illicit trade activities, decided to took him in the service the following year. After three years, Pitt was appointed a president of Fort St. George, Madras and his mandate became known as “Golden Age of Madras”. In 1709, after he was dismissed from post he returned to England.

In history, Pitt is perhaps, most famous for his purchase of a 410 carat diamond from an Indian merchant Jamchand. He bought it for £20,400. The diamond was after that cut in England, and in 1717 successfully sold to Phillippe, Duke of Orléans for £135,000, becoming one of the crown jewels of France.

“Le Regent”, as it’s called, can be seen today in the Louvre Museum, Paris.