John Houblon

Sir John Houblon (* March 13, 1632; † January 10, 1712 ) was the first governor of the Bank of England. His office he held from 1694 to 1697, then again in 1700.

He was the third son of James Houblon, a London merchant. His mother was Mary De Quesne. Houblon was appointed in 1689 to the Sheriff of the City of London, was Assistant Secretary from 1689 to 1712 and 1690/91 Chairman of the Worshipful Company of Grocers 1690-1691. 1695 he spent a year as Lord Mayor of London.

He was Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty from 1694 to 1699. From 1694 to 1697 he was finally first governor of the Bank of England.

In 1700 he was again governor of the Bank of England, then director of the New East India Company from 1700 to 1701. His brother, Abraham, was also governor of the Bank of England, 1703-1705. John Houblon is on the back of the 50 £ note shown.