Baptist Hicks, 1st Viscount Campden

Baptist Hicks was a wealthy English textile merchant and politician who was created a Viscount Campden.

Born as son of Robert Hicks, a wealthy mercer of Cheapside, Baptist was introduced by his father in the family business. In the late 1500’s he emerged as a major silk supplier to the Palace and courtiers, and in 1603 he was made a knight by James I. It is interesting to note that he was the first knight to keep his shop after the knighthood. By 1609 Hicks served as contractor for Crown lands.

Soon after 1608 Hicks bought the manor of Campden soon and built a large mansion there. He was made a baronet in 1620 and gave to each of his two daughters a dowry of £100,000. Allegedly, during his lifetime Hicks spent around £10,000 for charity work. He died at the age of 78 and was buried in Chipping Campden church. At the time of his death his wealth was worth about £250,000 or £9.2bn in modern money.