Sir William Taylor Money (c. 4 September 1769 – April 1834) was a British naval officer, merchant, and politician who played a key role in maritime trade, colonial administration, and naval defense during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Serving as a captain in theEast India Company, he commanded several merchant vessels before being appointed Superintendent of theBombay Marine, where he oversaw the protection of British shipping routes in the Indian Ocean. Money later became a Director of the East India Company, aMember of Parliament, and aFellow of the Royal Society, contributing to British commercial policies, naval strategy, and scientific exploration. His legacy includesMoney Island in the Paracel Islands, named in his honor, reflecting his impact on British maritime expansion.
He was the eldest son of Captain William Money of Wood End House, Walthamstow, a director of the East India Company for 1789–96, and Martha, the daughter of James Taylor.[1]
Money was commissioned in the East India Company navy as a lieutenant in theRose in 1786 and in 1793 he became commander of theGeneral Goddard belonging toSir Robert Wigram, 1st Baronet, his father's business partner. After a successful initial voyage he was given the command of other Wigram ships including theWalthamstow. On his retirement from sea in 1801 he became theEast India Company Marine Superintendent at Bombay, a post he held until 1813.[2]
During this period he served as president of theAsiatic Society of Bombay from 1815. He also gave his name toMoney Island in theParacel Islands group in the South China Sea which was named after him by the British naval surveyorCaptain Daniel Ross.
On his return to England he established a home inStreatham Park, Surrey and became a Director of the East India Company from 1818 to 1826. He entered Parliament as the member forWootton Bassett from 1816 to 1820 and forMitchell from 1820 to 1826. He gave up his Parliamentary seat in March 1826 when appointed consul to theLombard states but died of cholera in Venice in April 1834.
He was elected aFellow of the Royal Society in 1818.[3] and invested a Knight of theRoyal Guelphic Order in 1831.
He had married Eugenia, the daughter of William Money of Homme House, Much Marcle, Herefordshire, with whom he had 7 sons and 2 daughters. He left all his property to his wife in trust for their children, but his estate in Java had to be sold to pay his debts. Several of his children and grandchildren also served in the Indian army or civil service.
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| Preceded by | Member of Parliament forWootton Bassett 1816–1820 With:Richard Ellison | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of Parliament forMitchell 1820–1826 With:Sir George Staunton, Bt | Succeeded by |
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