Henry Raikes

Henry Raikes (1782–1854) was an English cleric, chancellor of the diocese of Chester from 1830 to 1854. Childhood and education Henry Raikes was born on 24 September 1782 at 12 New Broad Street, London. His father, Thomas, was a wealthy merchant, and his mother, Charlotte, was the granddaughter of the 7th Earl of Winchilsea. Thomas Raikes had become wealthy through his own ability and enterprise. He was born in Gloucester, where his father, Robert Raikes, had founded the Gloucester Journal. After their father’s death, Thomas and his brother, William, moved to London and established a merchant business that became immensely successful. In 1776, Thomas was elected a director of the Bank of England, a position he held until 1810. He also served on the committee of several charities, including the Society for Sunday Schools. In 1774, Thomas married Charlotte Finch, the illegitimate daughter of an aristocrat called Henry Finch. Charlotte’s portrait by George Romney depicts her sitting at a keyboard in a sumptuous white dress, looking elegant and graceful.