Hugh Reynolds Rathbone
Encyclopedia
Hugh Reynolds Rathbone was a British merchant and politician, who sat as a Member of Parliament
(MP) and was a member of the noted Rathbone family
.
He was the eldest son of Richard Reynolds Rathbone and Frances Susannah (née Roberts).
He was educated at Eton College
and Trinity College, Oxford
, obtaining his B.A.
in 1884 and his M.A.
in 1888.
In October 1888 he married Emily Evelyn Rathbone (1865-1953), his cousin, the daughter of William Rathbone VI
and had four children:
He was a grain merchant, becoming a partner of the Liverpool
firm of Ross T. Smyth and Co. in 1889, until his retirement in 1924. He served as a member of the Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies during the First World War, involved in the purchase and distribrution of large supplies of grain for the use of Great Britain
and the Allies. He represented the Liverpool Corn Trade Association on the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, 1905-1933.
He was closely involved with the University of Liverpool
. On the founding of the University in 1903 he became its first treasurer, was President of the Council from 1918-1924, and in 1920 was elected Pro-Chancellor. He made many gifts to the University, including parts of the family Liverpool estate, Greenbank
, to provide student accommodation.
As an active Liberal
, he elected as Member of Parliament
(MP) for Liverpool Wavertree at the 1923 general election
, but was heavily defeated at the 1924 election
. He stood again in 1929 general election
, increasing his vote but repeating the third place which he had achieved in 1924. He and his wife Emily founded the Liberal Party
Garmoyle Institute in Smithdown Road, Liverpool
.
He died on 19 January 1940.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
(MP) and was a member of the noted Rathbone family
Rathbone family
The Rathbone family of Liverpool, England, were a family of non-conformist merchants and shipowners, whose sense of high social consciousness led to a fine tradition of philanthropy and public service....
.
He was the eldest son of Richard Reynolds Rathbone and Frances Susannah (née Roberts).
He was educated at Eton College
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
and Trinity College, Oxford
Trinity College, Oxford
The College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity in the University of Oxford, of the foundation of Sir Thomas Pope , or Trinity College for short, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It stands on Broad Street, next door to Balliol College and Blackwells bookshop,...
, obtaining his B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1884 and his M.A.
Master of Arts (Oxbridge)
In the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Dublin, Bachelors of Arts of these universities are admitted to the degree of Master of Arts or Master in Arts on application after six or seven years' seniority as members of the university .There is no examination or study required for the degree...
in 1888.
In October 1888 he married Emily Evelyn Rathbone (1865-1953), his cousin, the daughter of William Rathbone VI
William Rathbone VI
William Rathbone VI was an English merchant and businessman noted for his philanthropic and public work...
and had four children:
- Hannah Mary ('Nancy', later Warr 1889-1995)
- Richard Reynolds (1891-1962)
- Edward Reynolds ('Teddy' 1892-1913)
- Hugo Ponsonby (1895-1969)
He was a grain merchant, becoming a partner of the Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
firm of Ross T. Smyth and Co. in 1889, until his retirement in 1924. He served as a member of the Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies during the First World War, involved in the purchase and distribrution of large supplies of grain for the use of Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
and the Allies. He represented the Liverpool Corn Trade Association on the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, 1905-1933.
He was closely involved with the University of Liverpool
University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool is a teaching and research university in the city of Liverpool, England. It is a member of the Russell Group of large research-intensive universities and the N8 Group for research collaboration. Founded in 1881 , it is also one of the six original "red brick" civic...
. On the founding of the University in 1903 he became its first treasurer, was President of the Council from 1918-1924, and in 1920 was elected Pro-Chancellor. He made many gifts to the University, including parts of the family Liverpool estate, Greenbank
Greenbank House
Greenbank House, is a Grade II listed building, located in Liverpool, England. It stands within the University of Liverpool's Greenbank Halls of Residence site, between Greenbank Road and Greenbank Lane.- Original House :...
, to provide student accommodation.
As an active Liberal
Liberal Party (UK)
The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day...
, he elected as Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
(MP) for Liverpool Wavertree at the 1923 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1923
-Seats summary:-References:*F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987*-External links:***...
, but was heavily defeated at the 1924 election
United Kingdom general election, 1924
- Seats summary :- References :* F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987* - External links :* * *...
. He stood again in 1929 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1929
-Seats summary:-References:*F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987*-External links:***...
, increasing his vote but repeating the third place which he had achieved in 1924. He and his wife Emily founded the Liberal Party
Liberal Party (UK)
The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day...
Garmoyle Institute in Smithdown Road, Liverpool
Smithdown Road, Liverpool
Smithdown Road is a street in Liverpool, England, which forms part of the A562. It is the location of Toxteth Park Cemetery and Wavertree Playground. Penny Lane junction, the subject of The Beatles song Penny Lane, is situated at the junction of Smithdown Road, Smithdown Place and Penny Lane...
.
He died on 19 January 1940.