Paul Pindar

Sir Paul Pindar (1565-1650) was a merchant and from 1611-1620 was Ambassador of King James I of England to the Ottoman Empire.

Born in Wellingborough and educated at Wellingborough Grammar School Pindar entered trade as the apprentice to an Italian merchant in London. He later became involved in trade to the Ottoman Empire, first as secretary to the English ambassador in Constantinople Henry Lello and eventually becoming ambassador himself. Pindar was present when the famous gift of an organ was made to the royal household by Ambassador Lello and he went on to become a favourite of Safiye Sultan the powerful mother of Sultan Mehmet III.

As ambassador he was "was renowned for his generosity in educating young men at his own 'care and cost'" [The Grand Signiors Serraglio - Robert Withers]

Pindar was knighted by James 1 in 1623. In the 18th century Sir Paul Pindar's House in Bishopsgate became a tavern called the "Sir Paul Pindar's Head" ( [Weinreb and Hibbert 1983: 586] ) and was then demolished to make way for Liverpool Street Station in 1890. Its facade was preserved and can now be seen in the Victoria and Albert Museum. [ [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=45086 Spitalfields | British History Online ] ] There is a commemorative vase to Pindar in St Botolph's Church Bishopsgate.

References

[http://www.wellingborough.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=438&pageNumber=2]