Everard Fawkener

Career

Fawkener was born into a family of silk merchants. His father, William (1642–1716) was a leading member of the Levant Company. Everard was sent out to Aleppo in 1716 and remained there until 1725. He then worked in the family firm of Snelling and Fawkener, leading Levant merchants of their day until 1735.

It was probably on his way home from Aleppo that he met the philosopher Voltaire. He dedicated his tragedy Zaire to Fawkener in 1733, and later stayed in Fawkener's house in Wandsworth while in England.

Fawkener was knighted in 1735, being appointed as ambassador to the Ottoman Empire on 19 August 1735. He arrived at Constantinople on 19 December. He did not like it much there and got leave to return home on 8 November 1742. His credentials were finally recalled on 4 September 1746.

Upon his return he became secretary to the Duke of Cumberland, a post which he held for the rest of his life. He accompanied the Duke on his campaign in the Scottish Highlands to suppress the 1745 Rebellion. In 1745 postmaster general. In this period he was a financial backer in the foundation of the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory.

Fawkener did not marry until 1747, when aged 53. His wife was Harriet, natural daughter of Lieutenant General Charles Churchill. A portrait of her by Constantinople-based artist Jean-Etienne Liotard hangs in Compton Verney House. They had a daughter and two sons, William Augustus Fawkener and Everard Fawkener of the 11th dragoons.

Fawkener lived at Westhorpe House near Little Marlow.