Thomas Gresham

Thomas Gresham
Portrait of Thomas Gresham, aged approximately 41. From the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
Born
Thomas Gresham the Elder

c. 1519
London, England
Died21 November 1579(1579-11-21) (aged 59–60)
London, England
Resting placeSt Helen's Church, Bishopsgate, London, England
NationalityBritish
EducationGonville and Caius College, Cambridge
Occupation(s)Merchant, financier
Known forFounder of The Royal Exchange and Gresham College
Spouse
Anne Ferneley
(m. 1544)
FatherSir Richard Gresham

Sir Thomas Gresham the Elder (/ˈɡrɛʃəm/; c. 1519 – 21 November 1579) was an English merchant and financier who acted on behalf of King Edward VI (1547–1553) and Edward's half-sisters, queens Mary I (1553–1558) and Elizabeth I (1558–1603). In 1565 Gresham founded the Royal Exchange in the City of London.