William Wyggeston

William Wyggeston (sometimes spelt William Wigston, circa 1547 to 1536) was an English wool merchant based in Leicester. He was part of the Wyggeston family, which included at least one other William Wyggeston.

Related Topics:
1547 - 1536 - English - Wool - Leicester

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Although the family had been influential before, he became extremely wealthy (in 1522 records indicate he paid 22% of the tax levied on Leicester), and became Mayor of the Corporation of Leicester twice, and represented Leicester in the Seventh Parliament of Henry VII.

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He was also known as a benefactor, and set up a early hospital in Leicester in 1513, now called Wyggeston's Hospital, and funded by the income of the Swannington estate, which he bought in 1520. http://www.duchyoflancaster.org.uk/output/page65.asp http://website.lineone.net/~terry.loftus/introduc.html The hospital still exists as an institution, although its activities have changed. It is now a residential home for old people, based on Hinckley Road in the West End of Leicester.

Related Topics:
Benefactor - Leicester - 1513 - Wyggeston's Hospital - Swannington - 1520 - Residential home - West End of Leicester

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After Wyggeston's death, his brother Thomas Wyggeston, as a trustee, used part of the money to establish a grammar school in Leicester. Whilst this eventually became defunct, it gave its name to the later Wyggeston Grammar School. Today there is a Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College and Regent College was until a few years ago known as Wyggeston Collegiate.

Related Topics:
Wyggeston Grammar School - Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College - Wyggeston Collegiate

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Wyggeston is one of the figures honoured by Leicester's Clock Tower (which spells his name 'Wigston').

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