Edward Robert Peacock

Sir Edward Robert Peacock (1871-1962) was a Canadian merchant banker, born in St. Elmo, Glengarry County, Ontario. He is perhaps best known as a director of the Bank of England, or for his role as Receiver General to the Duchy of Cornwall.

Early life

Peacock's father was a Congregationalist minister, who died shortly after he was born. His mother then moved to Almonte where he received his schooling. He went to Queen's University, and under the tutelage of Adam Shortt he studied Philosophy and Political economy, graduating in 1894 with a gold and silver medal respectively.

Career

He began his career as teacher at Upper Canada College. Then, in 1902, he left the teaching profession to work for the investment company Dominion Securities (established a year earlier by George Albertus Cox), moving to London in 1907. He caught the attention of Montagu Norman, who made him a director of the Bank of England in 1921. Peacock later resigned from the Bank to become a partner of Barings Bank, though he returned after the chief officer of Barings, Lord Revelstoke, died in 1929. During this time he was made a director of the Hudson's Bay Company, as well as the Rhodes Trust.

Also in 1929, he was made Receiver General to the Duchy of Cornwall, which entailed dealing with the Royal finances. For these services, he was knighted by George V in 1934. He was Receiver General until the death of George of VI in 1952.

Peacock was in Washington, D.C. during World War II, liaising between the United States government and the Bank of England.

Just before the war, he and Montagu Norman were asked by Admiral John Henry Godfrey of Naval Intelligence to find him a personal assistant. He found and recruited Ian Fleming, who would later write the James Bond novels.

Personal life

In 1909, he married Katherine (Kitty) Coates, who was the daughter of John Coates, founder of Turner & Coates Limited. Peacock was made Chairman of new John Coates and Company Limited. They didn't have children of their own, but adopted two daughters.

After a distinguished career, he retired to his estates near Ascot. He died of natural causes in 1962, leaving a large amount of money to Queen's. Queen's honoured him by introducing the Sir Edward Peacock Professorship. David Haglund is the current Sir Edward Peacock Professor of Political Studies, James MacKinnon is the current Sir Edward Peacock Professor of Econometrics, and Robin Boadway is the Sir Edward Peacock Professor of Economic Theory.

References

* [http://qed.econ.queensu.ca/funds/peacock.php Queen's University biography of Sir Edward Peacock]
* [http://www.turnerandcoates.com/history.html History of Turner & Coates Limited]