Sir Thomas Vernon (10 December 1631 – 10 February 1711) was a London merchant and director of the East India Company who served in the Parliament of England.
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Early life
Vernon was baptized on 10 December 1631. He was the second son of Henry Vernon (d. 1657) of Farnham, Surrey, by Joan Winter, a daughter of John Winter of Preshaw, Corhampton. His elder brother was Sir George Vernon who succeeded to their father's estates in 1657.
Career
The son of a Surrey gentleman, Vernon established himself as a merchant in London, specialising in trade with the Ottoman Empire. He was a member of the Levant Company in 1657, assistant from 1663–1670, 1684–1685, 1686–1691, 1693, 1697–1698, Husband 1671–1683. He also served as assistant to the Royal African Company from 1672–1674, 1677–1679, and 1682–1684. He was a member of the Eastland Company in 1687.
A Freeman, Haberdashers' Company in 1661, Master in 1685. He was a common councilman for London 1676–1680, 1682–1683, 1691–1693, 1696, and auditor 1683–1684. He was elected to the Parliament of England to represent the City of London from 1690 to 1695.