Fifty quid

[beale]

Hello everyone, happy Friday!!

 

Can anybody tell me who (apart from the Queen) appears on fifty pound note?

 

Cheers

[Oneeyedvic]

http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/characters.htm< /P>

 

Sir John Houblon

Born in 1632, Sir John was one of seven brothers of Huguenot descent. He and four other members of the Houblon family were some of the first subscibers to the newly created Bank of England. While two of the brothers were elected as Directors Sir John became the first Governor of the Bank in 1694. After his term of office as Governor came to an end in 1697 he continued as a Director until his death in 1711.

His home in Threadneedle Street can be seen on the back of the note. The house, along with several others in Threadneedle Street, came into the Bank's possession in 1724 although it was not until 1731 that the decision was taken to use the land for the construction of a building to house the ever expanding Bank.

Tradition has it that the pink colour of the Bank's messengers' coats owes its origin to the livery worn by Sir John Houblon's household although there is no direct evidence to support this