Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Fludyer, Samuel
FLUDYER, Sir SAMUEL (1705–1768), lord mayor of London, born in 1705, was the son of Samuel Fludyer, a clothier in the city of London. His mother was Elizabeth Monsallier, and her sister Judith was grandmother of the eminent legist, Sir Samuel Romilly. ‘The Fludyers (i.e. Samuel and his brother Thomas) began their career in very narrow circumstances, but by extraordinary industry, activity, enterprise, and good fortune they acquired inordinate wealth’ (Romilly, Memoirs). Romilly would have become a clerk in their counting-house had not their deaths put an end to the scheme. In due course the brothers became common councillors in the city of London, Samuel for Bassishaw ward, Thomas for Aldgate. In 1751 Samuel was elected alderman of Cheap ward. Three years later he served the office of sheriff, was elected M.P. for Chippenham in 1754, was knighted in 1755 by George II, made a baronet in 1759, and became lord mayor in 1761. On this occasion George III attended the inauguration dinner, while the queen and royal family witnessed the lord mayor's show from David Barclay's house opposite Bow Church in Cheapside. This 9 Nov. was also distinguished by the last known exhibition of a play written expressly for the day by the ‘city poet’ (Nichols, Anecd. i. 44). Fludyer failed in an attempt to represent the city of London at the election of 1761, but was then re-elected for Chippenham. He was deputy-governor of the Bank of England at the time of his death, which took place, of apoplexy, on 18 Jan. 1768. His fortune was estimated at 900,000l. (Gent. Mag.) Sir Thomas, who succeeded his brother in the representation of Chippenham, died in March 1769.
[Orridge's Citizens of London, 153–7; Memoirs of Sir S. Romilly; Taubman's Pageants; Nichols's Lit. Anecd. i. 44; Gent. Mag. 1768.]