Robert Wallace
Encyclopedia
Robert Wallace was a Scottish
politician. He was an electoral franchise reformer and agitator for postal service
reform.
He was elected to the Westminster Parliament
as the member for Greenock
in 1832, sitting for that constituency until 1845.
Robert Wallace was the founder of the campaign for cheap postage. He appeared in 1835 before the commission of enquiry set up to consider postal service reform.
and Kelly in Ayrshire
, by his third wife, Janet, third daughter of Robert Colquhoun of the island of St. Christopher
. His father was a West India merchant in Glasgow
, who amassed a large fortune and became proprietor of some major estates. The eldest son was Sir James Maxwell Wallace. By the father's will Robert Wallace received the estate of Kelly and part of the West Indian property, and was known by the designation of Wallace of Kelly.
Robert Wallace was a strong Whig, and often spoke in public during the reform agitation before 1832. After the passing of the Reform Act 1832
he was the first member of parliament for Greenock under the act, and held that seat until 1846. In parliament his efforts were directed towards law reform, especially in the direction of having cheaper and simpler methods for the transfer of heritable property.
His name is closely associated with the reform of the postal service, and with the introduction of the penny post. After repeated applications to parliament he succeeded in having a Royal Commission appointed in 1836 to report on the state of the posting department. Reports made by the commission supported the charges brought against this department, and prepared the way for reforms. Wallace was chairman of the committee that examined Rowland Hill
's penny postage scheme; and it was by his casting vote that it was decided to recommend this scheme to parliament.
In 1846 he became embarrassed financially through the depreciation in value of some of his West Indian estates, and resigned his seat in parliament. The estate of Kelly was sold, and Wallace lived in retirement at Seafield Cottage, Greenock
. After his resignation a public subscription was made for him, which enabled him to livdyears in comfort. He died at Seafield on 1 April 1855.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
politician. He was an electoral franchise reformer and agitator for postal service
Mail
Mail, or post, is a system for transporting letters and other tangible objects: written documents, typically enclosed in envelopes, and also small packages are delivered to destinations around the world. Anything sent through the postal system is called mail or post.In principle, a postal service...
reform.
He was elected to the Westminster Parliament
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...
as the member for Greenock
Greenock (UK Parliament constituency)
Greenock was a burgh constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1832 until 1974, when it was abolished and its area was merged into the new Greenock and Port Glasgow constituency.- Members of Parliament :...
in 1832, sitting for that constituency until 1845.
Robert Wallace was the founder of the campaign for cheap postage. He appeared in 1835 before the commission of enquiry set up to consider postal service reform.
Life
He was the second son of John Wallace (1712–1805) of CessnockCessnock, Glasgow
Cessnock is an area of Glasgow, Scotland located south of the River Clyde. Cessnock's main street is Paisley Road West, this road leads down to Paisley.-Transport:...
and Kelly in Ayrshire
Ayrshire
Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the...
, by his third wife, Janet, third daughter of Robert Colquhoun of the island of St. Christopher
Saint Kitts
Saint Kitts Saint Kitts Saint Kitts (also known more formally as Saint Christopher Island (Saint-Christophe in French) is an island in the West Indies. The west side of the island borders the Caribbean Sea, and the eastern coast faces the Atlantic Ocean...
. His father was a West India merchant in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, who amassed a large fortune and became proprietor of some major estates. The eldest son was Sir James Maxwell Wallace. By the father's will Robert Wallace received the estate of Kelly and part of the West Indian property, and was known by the designation of Wallace of Kelly.
Robert Wallace was a strong Whig, and often spoke in public during the reform agitation before 1832. After the passing of the Reform Act 1832
Reform Act 1832
The Representation of the People Act 1832 was an Act of Parliament that introduced wide-ranging changes to the electoral system of England and Wales...
he was the first member of parliament for Greenock under the act, and held that seat until 1846. In parliament his efforts were directed towards law reform, especially in the direction of having cheaper and simpler methods for the transfer of heritable property.
His name is closely associated with the reform of the postal service, and with the introduction of the penny post. After repeated applications to parliament he succeeded in having a Royal Commission appointed in 1836 to report on the state of the posting department. Reports made by the commission supported the charges brought against this department, and prepared the way for reforms. Wallace was chairman of the committee that examined Rowland Hill
Rowland Hill
Rowland Hill may refer to:* Rowland Hill , English Member of Parliament for the City of London* Sir Rowland Hill, 1st Baronet Hill of Hawkstone , built Hawkstone Park follies...
's penny postage scheme; and it was by his casting vote that it was decided to recommend this scheme to parliament.
In 1846 he became embarrassed financially through the depreciation in value of some of his West Indian estates, and resigned his seat in parliament. The estate of Kelly was sold, and Wallace lived in retirement at Seafield Cottage, Greenock
Greenock
Greenock is a town and administrative centre in the Inverclyde council area in United Kingdom, and a former burgh within the historic county of Renfrewshire, located in the west central Lowlands of Scotland...
. After his resignation a public subscription was made for him, which enabled him to livdyears in comfort. He died at Seafield on 1 April 1855.