remembrancer

plural remembrancers

1. A person who reminds someone.

   Tribal chieftains in Africa had had official remembrancers about them; I was Ulick's remembrancer.

   1976 September, Saul Bellow, Humboldt’s Gift, New York, N.Y.: Avon Books, →ISBN, page 387

   2 more examples

   I wonder, Dick, you did not put me in mind of sending for my own mattresses - But, if I had not been an ass, I should not have needed a remembrancer.

   1771, Tobias Smollett, Humphry Clinker, Penguin Classics, published 1985, page 77

   "Sandra Telmont," he explained. "Sandra is our professional remembrancer - continuity is her usual work, so we regard it as particularly thoughtful of providence to contrive her presence here just now."

   1951, John Wyndham, The Day of the Triffids, Harmondsworth: Penguin Books, published 1954, page 105

2. A memento or souvenir.

   Near a fortnight had passed before I attempted to restrain their affliction; for premature consolation is but the remembrancer of sorrow.

   1766, Oliver Goldsmith, chapter 3, in The Vicar of Wakefield

3. A recorder, or municipal judge.
4. An officer of exchequer.
5. UKgovernmentAlternative letter-case form of Remembrancer: an official of the City of London Corporation.

   1 more example

   In one respect at least the Corporation acts as the superior body: it imposes on the House of Commons a figure called the remembrancer: an official lobbyist who sits behind the Speaker's chair and ensures that, whatever our elected representatives might think, the City's rights and privileges are protected.

   [2011 October 31, George Monbiot, “The medieval, unaccountable Corporation of London is ripe for protest”, in The Guardian, →ISSN

plural Remembrancers

1. UKgovernmentAny of several former officials in the Court of Exchequer.
2. UKgovernmentA similar official of the City of London Corporation.

   In particular, Harkaway told him about the unelected offices of the Lord Mayor and the City Remembrancer, who can be mistaken for figureheads but, in fact, have extensive powers.

   2014 November 16, Ned Beauman, “William Gibson: ‘We always think of ourselves as the cream of creation’”, in The Guardian, →ISSN

   1 more example

   “Thank you. Tuesday evening, in four days’ time, Daedra West hosts a gathering, the venue yet to be announced. Possibly one of the guildhalls. Her guest list, so far, is interesting.” She looked at Lev. “The Remembrancer himself may be there. Lesser faces from the City.[…]

   2014, William Gibson, The Peripheral, G. P. Putnam's Sons, →ISBN, page 222