James Francis Helvetius Hobler

Who was James Francis Helvetius Hobler?

James Francis Helvetius Hobler was born in 19 July 1765 in St Anne, London, England, the son of eminent watch maker and exporter Jean Francois Hobler and wife Charlotte Elizabeth Claudon.

Baptised in the newly established Swiss Protestant Church in London on 11 August 1765, Francis Hobler, as he was commonly known, held the respected position of principal clerk to the Right Hon. Lord Mayor of London during the early-to-mid-19th century. As chief clerk, his duties were to provide informed legal counsel in the areas of criminal law and the statutes and civic customs of the city of London. Hobler held this position for the majority of his life, which included numerous changes to the civic chair. He retired in 1843 due to ill health.

Revered for his intellect and wit, Francis Hobler was once described as a "fine, tall, upright, powdered-headed gentleman of the old school, always neatly, though somewhat eccentrically dressed, in a closely buttoned-up black coat, drab breeches and gaiters, which seem to be essential to, and form a part of his very existence".

Fluent in English, French, Spanish, German and Latin, he was known for his punctuality, compassion and excellent memory.