William Vincent

Who is William Vincent?

Sir William Vincent was an English merchant and politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1660. He was active on behalf of the City of London at the time of the Restoration.

Vincent was the son of Francis Vincent, chapman of Weedon, Northamptonshire and his wife Elizabeth Langham, daughter of Edward Langham of Guilsborough, Northamptonshire and sister of Sir John Langham, 1st Baronet. Vincent was apprenticed to Thomas Langham, a Grocer of London and established himself as a linen-draper. He became a member of the Worshipful Company of Grocers in about 1639 and a member of the Honourable Artillery Company in 1640. In 1645 he became an assistant of the Levant Company and became husband of the company in 1650. He was a member of the committee of the East India Company from 1654 until his death. He was commissioner for assessment for London in 1657 and a common councilman from 1657 to 1658. In 1658 he was elected an alderman of the City of London for Bishopsgate ward. He was elected Sheriff of London in 1659, but did not serve.

In 1659 Vincent was commissioner for militia and became deputy governor of the Levant Company until his death.