Hudson Gurney (1775-1864)

Portrait of Hudson Gurney by Richard Dighton, published in his series entitled City Characters. A notable character in the Gurney family, Hudson's mother was David Barclay's heiress. He was a partner in the Norwich Bank between 1803 and his retirement in 1832, as well as a member of the unreformed parliament. He had a reputation for independent thinking on political, economic and social matters, and was disowned by the pacifist Friends (Quakers) for contributing to a fund for the defence of Norfolk against a possible French invasion. He was more active as an antiquary than as a banker.