Peter Gadsden
Encyclopedia
Sir Peter Drury Haggerston Gadsden, GBE, AC, JP
(28 June 1929 – 4 December 2006) was a Canadian
born British
chartered engineer and globe-trotting trader. He was the 652nd Lord Mayor of London
in 1979 and 1980.
, Canada
, where his father Basil Claude Gadsden was a missionary priest, accompanied by his wife, Mabel Florence Drury. He was the eldest of their three children. His father had been ordained in Australia
, and previously served in the East End of London
. The family returned to England when he was five, and he grew up in a rectory in Shropshire
. He was educated at Rockport School
in County Down
, The Elms School
in Worcestershire
, and Wrekin College
in Shropshire, where he was head boy
. After National Service
in the King's Shropshire Light Infantry, he read geology and mineralogy at Jesus College, Cambridge
.
as well as the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy
, a member of the London Metal Exchange
and an underwriter of Lloyd's of London
.
Gadsden was a member of seven livery companies
, including the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers
as well as the Worshipful Company of World Traders
, and served as founder master of the Worshipful Company of Engineers
from 1983-85. Gadsden was elected to the Court of Common Council for the ward of Cripplegate
in 1969, and was appointed Sheriff of the City of London in 1970. A year later, he became an alderman
for the ward of Farringdon Without
, remaining in that post until 1999: he was senior alderman for the last three years. Gadsden was Lord Mayor of London
in 1979-80 at the relatively young age of 50, on which election Gadsden was invested as a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
(GBE). He decided to hold a fireworks display on the River Thames
as a climax to the Lord Mayor's Show
, which has now become a regular feature of the event.
He was chairman of Private Patients Plan from 1984 to 1996, and then chairman of the PPP Healthcare Foundation until his death. Gadsden was past-chairman and vice-president of the Britain-Australia Society
and served as chairman of the Britain-Australia Bicentennial Committee, leading up to the Australian bicentenary in 1988, for which he was awarded an honorary Companion of the Order of Australia
, that country's highest civilian honour. Despite residing in the United Kingdom, Gadsden retained his Canadian citizenship and passport until his death and worked to further closer ties between both countries.
A biography by Ina Taylor, Thoroughly with Enthusiasm, was published in 2004.
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
(28 June 1929 – 4 December 2006) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
born British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
chartered engineer and globe-trotting trader. He was the 652nd Lord Mayor of London
Lord Mayor of London
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London is the legal title for the Mayor of the City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor of London is to be distinguished from the Mayor of London; the former is an officer only of the City of London, while the Mayor of London is the Mayor of Greater London and...
in 1979 and 1980.
Background
Gadsden was born in Mannville, AlbertaMannville, Alberta
Mannville is a village in central Alberta, Canada. It is located at the intersection of the Yellowhead Highway and Highway 881, approximately west of Vermilion and east of Edmonton...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, where his father Basil Claude Gadsden was a missionary priest, accompanied by his wife, Mabel Florence Drury. He was the eldest of their three children. His father had been ordained in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, and previously served in the East End of London
East End of London
The East End of London, also known simply as the East End, is the area of London, England, United Kingdom, east of the medieval walled City of London and north of the River Thames. Although not defined by universally accepted formal boundaries, the River Lea can be considered another boundary...
. The family returned to England when he was five, and he grew up in a rectory in Shropshire
Shropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
. He was educated at Rockport School
Rockport School
Rockport School is an independent mixed ability school for boys and girls from 3 years to 16 years.Situated on the shore of Belfast Lough in Craigavad, a village in County Down, Northern Ireland between Belfast and Bangor....
in County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, The Elms School
The Elms School
The Elms School is a co-educational, independent, boarding, prep school located in Colwall, Herefordshire, England, at the foot of the Malvern Hills. Including its pre-prep department, it caters for children from 2½ to 13 years old....
in Worcestershire
Worcestershire
Worcestershire is a non-metropolitan county, established in antiquity, located in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes it is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three counties that comprise the "Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire" NUTS 2 region...
, and Wrekin College
Wrekin College
Wrekin College is a co-educational independent school located in Wellington, Shropshire, England. It was founded by Sir John Bayley in 1880 and was known as ‘The School in the Garden’ owing to its extensive gardens and playing fields...
in Shropshire, where he was head boy
Head boy
Head Boy and Head Girl are terms commonly used in the British education system, and in private schools throughout the Commonwealth.-United Kingdom:...
. After National Service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
in the King's Shropshire Light Infantry, he read geology and mineralogy at Jesus College, Cambridge
Jesus College, Cambridge
Jesus College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The College was founded in 1496 on the site of a Benedictine nunnery by John Alcock, then Bishop of Ely...
.
Career
In 1952, Gadsden joined Fergusson Wild & Co after graduating, becoming a minerals trader, known as "Trader Gadsden". He set up his own mineral consultancy in the 1960s, and became managing director of the Australian mining company Murphyores in London, in addition to other business interests. He was an honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institute of MarketingChartered Institute of Marketing
The Chartered Institute of Marketing claims to be the world's largest organisation of professional marketers. It is based in UK with over 40,000 members worldwide. It's headquarters are in Cookham near Maidenhead, CIM offers professional development to marketing practitioners across the world...
as well as the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy
Institution of Mining and Metallurgy
Institution of Mining and Metallurgy was a British research institution, founded in 1892.In 2002, it merged with The Institute of Materials to form the The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining...
, a member of the London Metal Exchange
London Metal Exchange
The London Metal Exchange is the futures exchange with the world's largest market in options, and futures contracts on base and other metals. As the LME offers contracts with daily expiry dates of up to three months from trade date, along with longer-dated contracts up to 123 months, it also...
and an underwriter of Lloyd's of London
Lloyd's of London
Lloyd's, also known as Lloyd's of London, is a British insurance and reinsurance market. It serves as a partially mutualised marketplace where multiple financial backers, underwriters, or members, whether individuals or corporations, come together to pool and spread risk...
.
Gadsden was a member of seven livery companies
Liveryman
For Livery Companies in the City of London, a Liveryman is a full member of their respective Company.Livery Company members fall into two basic categories: Freemen and Liverymen. One may join as a Freeman, and thereby acquire the "Freedom of the Company", upon fulfilling the Company's criteria...
, including the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers
Worshipful Company of Clothworkers
The Worshipful Company of Clothworkers was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1528, formed by the amalgamation of its two predecessor Companies, the Fullers and the Shearmen...
as well as the Worshipful Company of World Traders
Worshipful Company of World Traders
The Worshipful Company of World Traders is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Guild of World Traders was founded in 1985, became a Company in 1993, and was granted Livery status by the Court of Aldermen with effect from 2000...
, and served as founder master of the Worshipful Company of Engineers
Worshipful Company of Engineers
The Worshipful Company of Engineers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company was founded and became a Livery Company in 1983 and was incorporated by Royal Charter in 2004...
from 1983-85. Gadsden was elected to the Court of Common Council for the ward of Cripplegate
Cripplegate
Cripplegate was a city gate in the London Wall and a name for the region of the City of London outside the gate. The area was almost entirely destroyed by bombing in World War II and today is the site of the Barbican Estate and Barbican Centre...
in 1969, and was appointed Sheriff of the City of London in 1970. A year later, he became an alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
for the ward of Farringdon Without
Farringdon Without
Farringdon Without is a Ward in the City of London, England. The Ward covers the western fringes of the City, including the Middle Temple, Inner Temple, Smithfield Market and St Bartholomew's Hospital, as well as the area east of Chancery Lane...
, remaining in that post until 1999: he was senior alderman for the last three years. Gadsden was Lord Mayor of London
Lord Mayor of London
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London is the legal title for the Mayor of the City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor of London is to be distinguished from the Mayor of London; the former is an officer only of the City of London, while the Mayor of London is the Mayor of Greater London and...
in 1979-80 at the relatively young age of 50, on which election Gadsden was invested as a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(GBE). He decided to hold a fireworks display on the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
as a climax to the Lord Mayor's Show
Lord Mayor's Show
The Lord Mayor's Show is one of the longest established and best known annual events in London which dates back to 1535. The Lord Mayor in question is that of the City of London, the historic centre of London that is now the metropolis's financial district, informally known as the Square Mile...
, which has now become a regular feature of the event.
He was chairman of Private Patients Plan from 1984 to 1996, and then chairman of the PPP Healthcare Foundation until his death. Gadsden was past-chairman and vice-president of the Britain-Australia Society
Britain-Australia Society
The Britain-Australia Society was established in 1971 as a friendship society to promote historic links between Britain and Australia. It has headquarters in Buckingham Gate in London and branches throughout the UK.- History :...
and served as chairman of the Britain-Australia Bicentennial Committee, leading up to the Australian bicentenary in 1988, for which he was awarded an honorary Companion of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
, that country's highest civilian honour. Despite residing in the United Kingdom, Gadsden retained his Canadian citizenship and passport until his death and worked to further closer ties between both countries.
Family
Gadsden married Belinda Ann Haggerston, eldest daughter and heiress of Sir Carnaby Haggerston, 11th Baronet in 1955; they had four daughters. He adopted the additional surname "Haggerston" by Royal Licence in 1973, after his father-in-law's death. He died on a heart attack in Middleton Scriven in Shropshire.A biography by Ina Taylor, Thoroughly with Enthusiasm, was published in 2004.