Hugh Clopton (c.1440 – 15 September 1496) was a London mercer and Lord Mayor of London, and a benefactor of his home town of Stratford-upon-Avon.

Family

Hugh Clopton was born about 1440 at Clopton House near Stratford-upon-Avon, where the Clopton family had settled in the thirteenth century in the reign of Henry III. He was a younger son of John Clopton. His mother's name was Agnes; however her surname is unknown.

In 1450 his father had received license to erect an oratory at the manor house, and in 1474 his elder brother, Thomas Clopton, obtained permission from Pope Sixtus IV to add a chapel to the house for the celebration of divine service.

Career

As a younger son, he left Clopton for London at an early age, and rapidly became a wealthy mercer. He was apprenticed in 1457 to the mercer John Roo, and was admitted to the Company in 1464. He served as warden of the Company three times, in 1479, 1484 and 1488. On 15 October 1485 he was chosen as alderman for Dowgate ward. In 1486 he was elected Sheriff of London during Sir Henry Colet's term as mayor, and was himself chosen Lord Mayor in 1491. By 1495 he was living in Bread Street. Although earlier biographers have stated that he was knighted, this does not appear to have been the case as he described himself in his will merely as citizen, mercer and alderman'.