Richard Whittington
Four times Lord Mayor of London (1354-1423) · Politicians · Died at 69
Richard Whittington of the parish of St Michael Paternoster Royal, City of London, was an English merchant and politician of the late medieval period. He is also the real-life inspiration for the English folk tale Dick Whittington and His Cat.
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Richard Whittington, 19th c. engraving after original c.1590 by Reginald Elstrack (1570 - after 1625).Original engraving depicted a skull, changed to a cat by print-seller Peter Stent to meet popular expectations. Arms: Whittington, FitzWaryn, Worshipful Company of Mercers, Merchant Adventurers Company of London; also two small shields with his merchant mark
Richard Whittington, stained glass in the Guildhall, City of London
![Whittington on his deathbed: at his side the four executors of his will, John Coventre, John White, clerk, John Carpenter, and William Grove,[13] with many of the beneficiaries of his charities at the foot of his bed. A physician examines a bottle of urine.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e4/Sir_R._Whittington_on_his_death_bead_Wellcome_L0007367.jpg/1280px-Sir_R._Whittington_on_his_death_bead_Wellcome_L0007367.jpg)
Whittington on his deathbed: at his side the four executors of his will, John Coventre, John White, clerk, John Carpenter, and William Grove,[13] with many of the beneficiaries of his charities at the foot of his bed. A physician examines a bottle of urine.
"Portraits of Sir Richard Whittington & his cat".Printed in New Wonderful Museum, Vol. III (1805), "from the original painting at Mercers' Hall".About this person
He was four times Lord Mayor of London, a member of parliament and a Sheriff of London. In his lifetime he financed a number of public projects, such as drainage systems in poor areas of London, and a hospital ward for unmarried mothers. He bequeathed his fortune to form the Charity of Sir Richard Whittington which, over 600 years later, continues to assist people in need.
