Francis Moon

Sir Francis Graham Moon, 1st Baronet (28 October 1796 – 13 October 1871)[1] was an English printseller and publisher and served as Lord Mayor of London.

Sir Francis Moon
Lord Mayor of London
In office 1854–1854
Preceded by	Thomas Sydney
Succeeded by	David Salomons
Personal details
Born	28 October 1796 St Andrew, Holborn
Died	13 October 1871 (aged 74)
Nationality	English
Spouse(s)	Anne Chancellor

Life

Moon was born at St Andrew, Holborn, the son of Christopher Moon, and Ann, daughter of T. Withry. His father was a gold and silver smith.[2]

The Royal Exchange buildings in 1844

Moon became a print seller and acquired a number of shops at the corner of Finch Street and Threadneedle Street in the 1820s on the site of the Royal Exchange buildings.[3] He was considered to be the leading print publisher in London[4] and was commissioned by artists including David Wilkie and David Roberts.[5]

In 1831, Moon entered the Common Council of the City of London for Bread Street ward and became one of the Sheriffs of the City of London in 1843. He was an alderman for Portsoken from 1844 to 1871 and for Bridge Street Without from 1871.[3] In 1854, he became Lord Mayor of London and showed European leanings as in 1855 he received the French Emperor and his wife Empress Eugenie in the Guildhall.[6] He was subsequently honoured as a Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur. He was created baronet on 4 May 1855.[7][2] Moon was master of the Stationers' Company from 1854 to 1855 and Master of the Loriners' Company from 1855 to 1856.[3]

Moon died at Western House, Brighton on 13 October 1871, at the age of 74. He was buried in the churchyard of St. Mary's Church, Fetcham, Surrey where his son Edward was rector.[8]

Family

Moon married Anne Chancellor on 28 October 1818, and had four sons and four daughters.[2] His son Edward Graham Moon was a rower and clergyman and succeeded to the baronetcy.

Notes

1. Leigh Rayment baronets
2. Gordon 1894.
3. London City History - Biography Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
4. JMW Turner letters
5. David Robert Collection
6. City of London - Collage
7. "No. 21704". The London Gazette. 1 May 1855. p. 1665.
8. Welcom to St Mary's Parish Church, Fetcham

References

Goodwin, Gordon (1894). "Moon, Francis Graham" . In Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography. 38. London: Smith, Elder & Co.

External links

• National Portrait Gallery