Robert Waithman

Robert Waithman (1764 – 6 February 1833) was a master draper who in later life was a British politician; an economic progressive Whig from an industrial background and a political reformist.

[1] In 1818 he was returned to Parliament, as a Whig, for the City of London.

He lost his seat at the election of 1820, but regained it in 1826, and retained it till his death, taking part vigorously in the parliamentary debates, and strenuously supporting reform.

An obelisk erected by his friends in Ludgate Circus, London, adjoining the site of his first shop, commemorated his memory.

The obelisk today forms the main monument in Salisbury Square.