Army officer, painter, philanthropist. Born John Thomas Barber and in 1812 for no known reason, he added the name of Beaumont. He specialised in historical and portrait miniatures, and displayed at the Royal Academy. In anticipation of Napoleon invading Britain, he raised a rifle corps, the Duke of Cumberland's Sharp Shooters. He established a savings bank, the Provident Life Office, and an insurance organisation, the County Fire Office. He acquired extensive property in Mile End, built houses and created the East London Cemetery in Shandy Park and founded the Beaumont Philosophical Institution which went on to become the People's Palace and then Queen Mary College.
Born Marylebone. Married and had 10 children. Was a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, and of the Geological Society. Died at home, in the same street, Regent Street, possibly the same building as the County Fire Office.
His grandson, William Bayldon Barber (1874-1939) was a Quaker and director of the Friends' Provident Life Office, and his great grandson, Christopher Bayldon Barber (1921 - 2012) was Chairman of Oxfam 1983-9.
Sources include: Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Wikipedia.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
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