Sir Patrick Ashley Cooper

Major Sir Patrick Ashley Cooper (18 November 1887 – 22 March 1961) was a British businessman who for more than two decades was governor of the Hudson's Bay Company and director of the Bank of England. He served as High Sheriff of the County of London and as High Sheriff of Hertfordshire.

Early life and education

Ashley Cooper was born in Aberdeen, the eldest son of Patrick Cooper, and Mary Cook of Ashley, Aberdeenshire. He was educated at Fettes College in Edinburgh before attending Trinity Hall, Cambridge, and Aberdeen University, studying law. In 1913, he joined the 7th London Brigade as a lieutenant.

During the First World War, Ashley Cooper served in France with the Royal Field Artillery. He was wounded in 1915 and twice mentioned in dispatches, and was promoted to Major. He later served as Assistant Deputy Director-General of the Trench Warfare Department and Assistant Controller for Gun Ammunition.

Business career

After the First World War, he was engaged in financial and industrial reorganisation for some years, and, in 1931, he was appointed a member of the National Economy Committee. One of his daughters, Cynthia, married Conservative MP Paul Bryan.

He died at sea in 1961, aged 73.