Hugh Myddelton
Who was Hugh Myddelton?
Welsh businessman, civil engineer and politician
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Hugh Myddelton (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Sir Hugh Myddelton, 1st Baronet (1560-1631) was born in Denbighshire, Wales, and made a name for himself as a Welsh entrepreneur and self-taught engineer in the early 17th century. Starting as a clothmaker, Myddelton expanded into goldsmithing, banking, and mining. His knack for spotting and grabbing new business opportunities made him one of the most well-known businessmen of his time.
His most famous contribution was creating the New River. This major project, started in 1609, brought fresh water from Hertfordshire springs to London, tackling the city's growing water needs. The 38-mile artificial waterway required a lot of money and engineering creativity, as Myddelton had to deal with difficult terrain and many technical issues. Despite financial struggles during the build, he pushed through with support from King James I, who partnered with him on the project.
Myddelton also ran successful mining operations in Wales and had many business ventures in London's financial scene. As a goldsmith, he played a role in the city’s budding banking industry, helping shape early modern financial practices. He also served as a Member of Parliament, representing areas in both Wales and England, where he pushed for business interests and infrastructure development.
Myddelton married twice, first to Elizabeth Olmstead and then to Anne Collins, showing his ties to London's merchant community. In 1622, he was made a baronet in honor of his work in public projects and trade. He passed away in 1631, closing a career marked by the entrepreneurial spirit of the early 1600s, when ambitious people could move upward through business success and engineering skill.
Before Fame
Hugh Myddelton was born into a Welsh family in Denbighshire during Elizabeth I's reign, a time when Wales was becoming part of English economic and political scenes. He started in the cloth trade, benefiting from the Welsh woolen industry's growth due to expanding local and international markets. This gave him the business skills and money he needed to take on bigger projects.
In the late 16th and early 17th centuries, there were great opportunities for people ready to invest in new technologies and infrastructure. London's booming population needed better water supply, sanitation, and financial services. Myddelton used his cloth trade profits to set up as a goldsmith in London's financial district, where he could get involved in the city's growing business networks.
Key Achievements
- Created the New River waterway, bringing fresh water from Hertfordshire to London
- Established successful mining operations in Wales extracting silver and lead
- Served as Member of Parliament representing multiple constituencies
- Founded the New River Company, one of London's first major utility companies
- Received a baronetcy in 1622 for his contributions to public infrastructure
Did You Know?
- 01.The New River project required digging through 38 miles of countryside and included a spectacular series of wooden aqueducts to cross valleys
- 02.King James I invested £9,000 of royal money into the New River project when Myddelton faced financial difficulties
- 03.Several London streets and areas still bear his name, including Myddelton Square in Clerkenwell
- 04.He operated silver and lead mines in Wales that helped fund his London engineering projects
- 05.The New River Company continued to supply London with water for over 350 years after his death