John Thwaites

Sir John Thwaites (24 May 1815 - 8 August 1870) was a politician best-known for being Chairman of the Metropolitan Board of Works.

Born in Westmorland in north west England, he moved to London in 1832, entering business as a draper. He became involved in local government at the parish level and as poor law guardian, and represented Southwark on the Metropolitan Commission of Sewers.

When the Metropolitan Board of Works (MBW) was established in 1855 Thwaites was elected to represent both St Saviour's and Greenwich Districts. He was elected chairman of the MBW at their first meeting.

In May 1865 Thwaites was knighted, largely in recognition of the main drainage schemes executed by the MBW.

He died at his home in Wandsworth in 1870 from diabetes and dysentery.