Sir Everard Fawkener (1694–1758) was an English merchant and diplomat.
Fawkener was born into a family of silk merchants. His father, William (1642–1716) was a leading member of the Levant Company. Everard was sent out to Aleppo in 1716 and remained there until 1725. He then worked in the family firm of Snelling and Fawkener, leading Levant merchants of their day until 1735.[2]
It was probably on his way home from Aleppo that he met the philosopher Voltaire. He dedicated his tragedy Zaïre to Fawkener in 1733,[2] and later stayed in Fawkener's house in Wandsworth while in England.[3]
Fawkener was knighted in 1735 and sent as British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire from 1737-1744, replacing Lord Kinnoull.
Upon his return he became secretary to the Duke of Cumberland, a post which he held for the rest of his life. He accompanied the Duke on his campaign in the Scottish Highlands to suppress the 1745 Rebellion.[2] In 1745 postmaster general. In this period he was a financial backer in the foundation of the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory.
Fawkener did not marry until 1747, when aged 53. His wife was Harriet, natural daughter of General Charles Churchill. A portrait of her by Constantinople-based artist Jean-Etienne Liotard hangs in Compton Verney. They had a daughter and two sons,[2] including William Augustus Fawkener.[4]
| Diplomatic posts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by The Earl of Kinnoull |
Ambassador to the Sublime Porte 1737-1744 |
Succeeded by Sir James Porter |
| Government offices | ||
| Preceded by Sir John Eyles The Earl of Leicester |
Postmaster General 1745-58 With: The Earl of Leicester |
Succeeded by The Lord Trevor The Earl of Bessborough |