George Heathcote (1700-?) was an eighteenth century English politician and philanthropist who was a Member of Parliament and Lord Mayor of London.
He was a nephew of Sir Gilbert Heathcote, 1st Baronet, Governor of the Bank of England. His brother Caleb Heathcote served as Mayor of New York City.
Heathcote was known as the wealthiest commoner in England when he died.
Heathcote served as an Alderman for the City of London, was elected Sheriff of the City of London in 1740, and was elected Lord Mayor in 1742. He also served in Parliament as the representative of the City of London.
He was an opponent of Robert Walpole’s government ministry and a follower of William Wyndham’s opposition Tory party. He was also a Jacobite, or a supporter of the exiled House of Stuart. He was active in planning the Jacobite Rising of 1745.
Heathcote was a member of the Associates of the Late Dr. Thomas Bray, a philanthropic organization. After the death of Dr. Bray in 1730, the Associates petitioned to create a new colony for relief of debtors, among other purposes. In 1732, the Associates were granted a royal charter founding the Trustees for the Establishment of the Colony of Georgia in America. Heathcote was active in planning the colony with James Oglethorpe, and he served as treasurer for the Trustees.
Heathcote was a member of the Masonic Lodge at the Rummer Tavern, Charing Cross.