John Barnard

Sir John Barnard (1685 – 28 August 1764) was a British merchant and Whig politician who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1738.

Early life Barnard was the son of a Quaker merchant from Reading, Berkshire, also named John Barnard and his wife, Sarah, daughter of Robert Payne of Play Hatch in Oxfordshire part of Sonning.

The younger John Barnard initially worked alongside his father as a London City merchant. He was elected at the 1722 general election as one of the four members of parliament (MPs) for the City of London.

Political career Barnard was a vigorous campaigner for the commercial interests that were his principal City of London constituency. In 1734 he successfully promoted an Act of Parliament (7 Geo. 2. c. 8) "to prevent the infamous practice of Stock-Jobbing". This Act, which was renewed in 1737, later became known as "Sir John Barnard's Act" in recognition of his efforts. He was selected one of the two Sheriffs of London for 1736–37.

Walpole resigned as Prime Minister in February 1742. Barnard was subsequently a supporter of the proposal for an enquiry to investigate Walpole's actions over the preceding ten years with a view to making charges of corruption. He was one of the 21 members named to the enquiry, but little progress was made as most of those called as witnesses refused to testify. The only substantive allegation – that of bribing electors in the districts of Wendover and Orford – failed when it became clear the evidence was essentially hearsay. Barnard supported a subsequent motion to introduce a Bill of Indemnity pardoning witnesses from any crimes if they testified against Walpole or his Ministers, but the legislation was defeated in the House of Lords.

Barnard Street in Savannah, Georgia, is named for him.