John Atkins

Atkins rose from humble origins to serve as Tory MP for Arundel, and then for the City of London before moving on to become Sheriff of London 1809-10, and Lord Mayor of London 1818-19. During this time, he opposed Catholic emancipation, voting against it in 1829. He also spoke in favour of a number of charitable causes during his time in Parliament, including a grant for refuge for delinquent orphans, and a bill to exempt occupiers of almshouses from parochial rates. He also set up as a West India merchant with his brother Abram, under the firm J & A Atkins. He earned his fortune from this commercial activity. He became a significant slave owner in Jamiaca, having eight plantation estates associated with him, and 12 claims for compensation after the Compensation Act. Atkins had at least six children, one of his sons being John Pelly Atkins. With his son, he donated money to the establishment of King’s College London. Upon his death, he left some of his estate (including property in both England, Ireland, and the Caribbean) and all his mercantile concerns and investments to John Pelly.