John Rivers

Who is John Rivers?

Sir John Rivers was a Tudor-era businessman who became Lord Mayor of London.

He was born to Richard Rivers, steward of Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham's lands. Alternate spelling includes John Ryvers.

He was a grocer and member of the Worshipful Company of Grocers, Sheriff of London in 1566, and Lord Mayor of London in 1573. He was knighted in 1574 and served as President of St. Thomas' Hospital between 1580 and 1584. He also served as an Alderman for the London wards of Farringdon between 1565–1568, Broad Street between 1568–1574, and Walbrook between 1574-1584.

He married Elizabeth Barne, daughter of Sir George Barne II, and they had Sir George Rivers, who was a Member of Parliament and progenitor of the Rivers baronetcy. Rivers was lay rector at St. Mary's Church, Hadlow, Kent.