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Portrait of Richard Whittington (SRPort/Whittington/1GS)

Born at Pauntley Court around 1350 into a wealthy Gloucestershire gentry family, Richard was the 3rd son of Sir William Whittington, MP.  As he wouldn’t inherit his father's estate, he was sent to the City of London to become a mercer.  He became a highly successful merchant, was Lord Mayor of London (3 times), an MP and a sheriff of London.  In his lifetime he financed several public projects, including drainage systems in poor areas of medieval London, a hospital ward for unmarried mothers and a 128-seat Thames toilet!  Upon his death, he bequeathed his fortune to form the Charity of Sir Richard Whittington which, nearly 600 years later, continues to assist people in need.  He is also the real-life inspiration for the English folk tale Dick Whittington and his cat.