Brackley Kennett was a British merchant who served as Sheriff of London in 1765 and Lord Mayor of London from 1779 to 1780. During his time in office the Gordon Riots broke out and his response to the rioting proved controversial. He failed to read the Riot Act, or to offer additional protection to threatened communities, and it was even alleged that he was broadly sympathetic to the rioters.
In 1781 Kennett was convicted of criminal negligence for his conduct during the Riots and fined £1,000.[1]