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Biography
Sir Charles Asgill, 1st Baronet (17 March 1713 – 15 September 1788), merchant banker, was the third son of Henry Asgill, silkman, of St Clement Danes, Middlesex and was educated at Westminster School.
Apprenticed to the banking house of William Pepys & Co. he later became a partner in the firm of Vere and Asgill, bankers of Lombard Street in 1740. Alderman of Candlewick Ward (1749–1771) Asgill was also Master of the Skinners Company (1749), a Governor of Bridewell Royal Hospital (1743–1750), Sheriff of the City of London (1753) and Lord Mayor of London (1757–1758).
Created a Baronet in 1761 Asgill married (1st) Hannah Vanderstegen and (2nd) Sarah Theresa Pratviel. The Lord Mayor's Coach, still in use today, was built for his inauguration and Asgill House (on part of the former site of Richmond Palace) was designed for him by the architect Sir Robert Taylor as a weekend and holiday villa, his London residence being in Portman Square.
Asgill's obituary in the Gentleman's Magazine stated that "he was a strong instance of what may be effected even by moderate abilities, when united with strict integrity, industry and irreproachable character." Asgill, who died leaving a large fortune was succeeded by his only son Sir Charles Asgill, 2nd Baronet, a general in the Army.