Everard Fawkener
Encyclopedia
Sir Everard Fawkener was an English merchant and diplomat.
Fawkener was born into a family of silk merchants. His father, William (1642–1716) was a leading member of the Levant Company
. Everard was sent out to Aleppo
in 1716 and remained there until 1725. He then worked in the family firm of Snelling and Fawkener, leading Levant merchants of their day until 1735.
It was probably on his way home from Aleppo that he met the philosopher Voltaire
. He dedicated his tragedy Zaïre
to Fawkener in 1733, and later stayed in Fawkener's house in Wandsworth
while in England.
Fawkener was knighted in 1735 and sent as British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire
from 1737-1744, replacing Lord Kinnoull.
Upon his return he became secretary to the Duke of Cumberland, a post which he held for the rest of his life. He accompanied the Duke on his campaign in the Scottish Highlands to suppress the 1745 Rebellion
. In 1745 postmaster general
. In this period he was a financial backer in the foundation of the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory.
Fawkener did not marry until 1747, when aged 53. His wife was Harriet, natural daughter of General Charles Churchill
. A portrait of her by Constantinople
-based artist Jean-Etienne Liotard
hangs in Compton Verney
. They had a daughter and two sons, including William Augustus Fawkener
.
Fawkener was born into a family of silk merchants. His father, William (1642–1716) was a leading member of the Levant Company
Levant Company
The Levant Company, or Turkey Company, was an English chartered company formed in 1581, to regulate English trade with Turkey and the Levant...
. Everard was sent out to Aleppo
Aleppo
Aleppo is the largest city in Syria and the capital of Aleppo Governorate, the most populous Syrian governorate. With an official population of 2,301,570 , expanding to over 2.5 million in the metropolitan area, it is also one of the largest cities in the Levant...
in 1716 and remained there until 1725. He then worked in the family firm of Snelling and Fawkener, leading Levant merchants of their day until 1735.
It was probably on his way home from Aleppo that he met the philosopher Voltaire
Voltaire
François-Marie Arouet , better known by the pen name Voltaire , was a French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher famous for his wit and for his advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of religion, free trade and separation of church and state...
. He dedicated his tragedy Zaïre
Zaïre (play)
Zaïre is a five act tragedy in verse by Voltaire. Written in only three weeks, it was given its first public performance on 13 August 1732 by the Comédie française in Paris. It was a great success with the Paris audiences and marked a turning away from tragedies caused by a fatal flaw in the...
to Fawkener in 1733, and later stayed in Fawkener's house in Wandsworth
Wandsworth
Wandsworth is a district of south London, England, in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is situated southwest of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-Toponymy:...
while in England.
Fawkener was knighted in 1735 and sent as British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
from 1737-1744, replacing Lord Kinnoull.
Upon his return he became secretary to the Duke of Cumberland, a post which he held for the rest of his life. He accompanied the Duke on his campaign in the Scottish Highlands to suppress the 1745 Rebellion
Jacobite rising
The Jacobite Risings were a series of uprisings, rebellions, and wars in Great Britain and Ireland occurring between 1688 and 1746. The uprisings were aimed at returning James VII of Scotland and II of England, and later his descendants of the House of Stuart, to the throne after he was deposed by...
. In 1745 postmaster general
United Kingdom Postmaster General
The Postmaster General of the United Kingdom is a defunct Cabinet-level ministerial position in HM Government. Aside from maintaining the postal system, the Telegraph Act of 1868 established the Postmaster General's right to exclusively maintain electric telegraphs...
. In this period he was a financial backer in the foundation of the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory.
Fawkener did not marry until 1747, when aged 53. His wife was Harriet, natural daughter of General Charles Churchill
Charles Churchill (governor)
Lieutenant General Charles Churchill was a British Army General and a Member of Parliament.-Career:Born the natural son of Elizabeth Dodd and General Charles Churchill and so the nephew of the 1st Duke of Marlborough, Churchill spent his early career in the British Army during the War of the...
. A portrait of her by Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
-based artist Jean-Etienne Liotard
Jean-Étienne Liotard
Jean-Étienne Liotard was a Swiss-French painter. His father was a jeweller who fled to Switzerland after 1685....
hangs in Compton Verney
Compton Verney
Compton Verney is a manor and parish in the county of Warwickshire, England.Compton Verney House is an 18th century country mansion which has been converted into an art gallery....
. They had a daughter and two sons, including William Augustus Fawkener
William Augustus Fawkener
-Background:William Fawkener was one of the sons of Sir Everard Fawkener, a merchant and then British Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, who did not marry until he was aged 53, and thus died in 1758 while William was still young. His mother was Harriet daughter of General Charles Churchill...
.