Christopher Topham, member of Parliament for York

York

York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...

, was the son of York merchant and Sheriff for the city of York Christopher Topham and his wife Ann, a daughter of Percival Levett

Levett

Levett is an Anglo-Norman territorial surname deriving from the village of Livet-en-Ouche, now Jonquerets-de-Livet, in Eure, Normandy. Ancestors of the earliest Levett family in England, the de Livets were lords of the village of Livet, and undertenants of the de Ferrers, among the most powerful of...

, merchant of York and also formerly a Sheriff for the city of York. Topham was married to Susan Micklethwait, daughter of Elias Micklethwait, York merchant and member of Parliament as well as twice the mayor of York.

Topham was elected an alderman for the city of York after the execution of King Charles I

Charles I of England

Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...

. Topham served as Sheriff for York in 1647, and in 1660 was Lord Mayor of York

Lord Mayor of York

The Lord Mayor of York is the Lord Mayor, Chairman of City of York Council, first citizen and civic head of York. The appointment is made by the council each year in May, at the same time appointing a Sheriff, the city's other civic head...

. He was elected to Parliament in 1659, and was able to remain in office after the purge of 1662.