James Bateman (banker)

Sir James Bateman (c.1660 – 10 November 1718) was an English merchant who became Lord Mayor of London and Governor of the Bank of England.

He was born the son of Joas Bateman, a Flemish immigrant who had become a successful London merchant and alderman.

He was a director of the Bank of England from 1694 to 1703, being elected Deputy Governor for 1703-05 and Governor for 1705-07, replacing Abraham Houblon and succeeded by Francis Eyles. He thereafter resumed his position as a director (1707-11) He was also a director of the New East Indies Company (1698-1700, 1703-04, 1707-09) and the United East India Company (1709-10) and a sub-Governor of the South Sea Company from 1711 to his death. He was knighted in 1698.

He was appointed Sheriff of London for 1701-02, became an alderman in 1708 and was elected Lord Mayor of London for 1716-17. He became a member of the Loriners’ Company in 1708 and a prime warden of the Fishmongers’ Company for 1710-12.

He was elected to Parliament as MP for Ilchester in 1711, sitting until 1715, when he was re-elected to Parliament to represent East Looe until 1718.

He died in 1718. He had married Esther, the daughter and coheiress of John Searle, a Finchley merchant. They had 4 sons and 3 daughters. His estates in Herefordshire, Kent and Essex were divided between his sons.

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