William Blamire
Encyclopedia
William Blamire was a British
farmer, civil servant and Whig Party politician.
originated family at the The Oaks
, he was the eldest son of the naval surgeon William Blamire. His mother Jane was the third daughter of John Christian and sister of the politician John Christian Curwen. The poetess and writer Susanna Blamire
was his aunt. Blamire was baptised in Dalston
by the philosopher William Paley
at that time vicar there. He was first privateley educated at Carlisle and was admitted to Westminster School
in 1805. Three years later, he went then to Christ Church College, Oxford, graduating in 1811.
in 1828. He entered the British House of Commons
in 1831, having been elected for Cumberland
. Blamire represented the constituency until its abolishment in the next year and then stood successfully for the new established East Cumberland
. Blamire resigned as Member of Parliament
in 1836, when after the passing of the Tithe Commutation Act 1836
he was appointed the first Chief Tithe Commissioner. The Commission reported in 1851 and triggered various new acts and reforms. Blamire retired in 1860.
, who had governored Saint Helena
during the time of Napoleon's exile there. His wife died in 1857 and Blamire survived her for five years until 1862. Few months later a prize with his name was endowed for achievements in agriculture.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
farmer, civil servant and Whig Party politician.
Background and education
Born to a CumberlandCumberland
Cumberland is a historic county of North West England, on the border with Scotland, from the 12th century until 1974. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 and now forms part of Cumbria....
originated family at the The Oaks
The Oaks
- England :* The Oaks *The Oaks, Ascot, an 18th century country mansion later re-named the Royal Berkshire- United States :* The Oaks , listed on the NRHP in Colbert County, Alabama...
, he was the eldest son of the naval surgeon William Blamire. His mother Jane was the third daughter of John Christian and sister of the politician John Christian Curwen. The poetess and writer Susanna Blamire
Susanna Blamire
Susanna Blamire , poet, was of good Cumberland family, and received the sobriquet of The Muse of Cumberland. Her poems, which were not collected until 1842, depict Cumbrian life and manners with truth and vivacity...
was his aunt. Blamire was baptised in Dalston
Dalston
Dalston is a district of north-east London, England, located in the London Borough of Hackney. It is situated northeast of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London...
by the philosopher William Paley
William Paley
William Paley was a British Christian apologist, philosopher, and utilitarian. He is best known for his exposition of the teleological argument for the existence of God in his work Natural Theology, which made use of the watchmaker analogy .-Life:Paley was Born in Peterborough, England, and was...
at that time vicar there. He was first privateley educated at Carlisle and was admitted to Westminster School
Westminster School
The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain...
in 1805. Three years later, he went then to Christ Church College, Oxford, graduating in 1811.
Career
A farmer, Blamire was nominated High Sheriff of CumberlandHigh Sheriff of Cumberland
The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred elsewhere or are now defunct, so that its functions...
in 1828. He entered the British House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
in 1831, having been elected for Cumberland
Cumberland (UK Parliament constituency)
Cumberland is a former United Kingdom Parliamentary constituency. It was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of England then of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1832. It was represented by two Knights of...
. Blamire represented the constituency until its abolishment in the next year and then stood successfully for the new established East Cumberland
East Cumberland (UK Parliament constituency)
East Cumberland is a former county constituency in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elected two Members of Parliament by the bloc vote system of election.- Boundaries :...
. Blamire resigned 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,...
in 1836, when after the passing of the Tithe Commutation Act 1836
Tithe Commutation Act 1836
The Tithe Commutation Act of 1836 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom with the long title "An Act for the Commutation of Tithes in England and Wales". It replaced the ancient system of payment of tithes in kind with monetary payments...
he was appointed the first Chief Tithe Commissioner. The Commission reported in 1851 and triggered various new acts and reforms. Blamire retired in 1860.
Family
In 1834, Blamire married his cousin Dorothy. She was the youngest daughter of John Taubman and the widow of Mark WilksMark Wilks
Colonel Mark Wilks FRS was a Manx soldier and administrator.He was born in the Isle of Man, the son of Rev. James Wilks and Margaret Woods, and came from a long lineage of Manxmen....
, who had governored Saint Helena
Saint Helena
Saint Helena , named after St Helena of Constantinople, is an island of volcanic origin in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is part of the British overseas territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha which also includes Ascension Island and the islands of Tristan da Cunha...
during the time of Napoleon's exile there. His wife died in 1857 and Blamire survived her for five years until 1862. Few months later a prize with his name was endowed for achievements in agriculture.