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Dick Whittington

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Mayor

The Resume

    (circa 1354-1423)
    Born in Glouchestershire, United Kingdom
    Birth name was Sir Richard Whittington
    Apprenticed at age 13 to a London cloth merchant
    Lord Mayor of London (four times) and Member of Parliament
    Basis of folktale ‘Dick Whittington and His Cat’

Why he might be annoying:

    Contrary to popular belief, he was not born poor.
    He may not even have owned a cat (much less a brilliant mouser that made him rich).
    He married his boss’s daughter.
    He became rich trading in the luxury fabrics silk and velvet.
    He lent huge sums to the monarchy and was exempted from paying export duties.
    The first time he became Lord Mayor he was not elected but appointed by Richard II.

Why he might not be annoying:

    His father’s estate went to his older brothers.
    He kept out of the struggles over the British throne following Richard II’s deposition.
    He was much loved for his generosity by Londoners who elected him mayor three times.
    His will financed many public works and charities, some of which still exist today.
    The pantomime role of Dick Whittington is often played by a woman.
    Factual or not, his rags-to-riches story has been popular for centuries.

Credit: Georgina


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 6 Votes: 16.67% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 11 Votes: 36.36% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 18 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 22 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 14 Votes: 7.14% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 38 Votes: 26.32% Annoying