William Crawford (London MP)
Encyclopedia
Wiliam Crawford was a British Liberal Party
politician who represented the City of London
in the 19th century.
Crawford was born in London the son of Andrew Crawford, formerly of Dunfermline
, and his wife Mary Spink. He spent his early life with the Honourable East India Company and made a fortune in India. He returned to England in around 1812, and was a partner in the East India Mercantile House of Crawford, Colvin and Company. He bought the estate of Pippbrook, near Dorking
, Surrey
in 1817 and made it his country home. In 1827 he was High Sheriff of Surrey
He also had a house at Eaton Square. He was a director of the Alliance Assurance Company and an alderman
of the City of London
in the Spectacle Makers' Company. In 1832 he stood unsuccessfully for parliament at Brighton
at the general election in 1832. He was returned as Member of Parliament
for the City of London
in August 1833, and sat until he lost the seat in June 1841. He was in favour of the abolition of the Window Taxes and opposed the Corn Laws and short parliaments. He died at Woodmansterne
, Surrey and was buried in St Peter's Church there.
Crawford married Dorothy Elizabeth Rees at Bombay on 11 January 1802. Five children were born in Bombay, and three in England. His son Robert Wigram Crawford
was also MP for the City of London. His daughter Jane married Henry Ray Freshfield
.
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...
politician who represented the City of London
City of London (UK Parliament constituency)
The City of London was a 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 1950.-Boundaries and boundary...
in the 19th century.
Crawford was born in London the son of Andrew Crawford, formerly of Dunfermline
Dunfermline
Dunfermline is a town and former Royal Burgh in Fife, Scotland, on high ground from the northern shore of the Firth of Forth. According to a 2008 estimate, Dunfermline has a population of 46,430, making it the second-biggest settlement in Fife. Part of the town's name comes from the Gaelic word...
, and his wife Mary Spink. He spent his early life with the Honourable East India Company and made a fortune in India. He returned to England in around 1812, and was a partner in the East India Mercantile House of Crawford, Colvin and Company. He bought the estate of Pippbrook, near Dorking
Dorking
Dorking is a historic market town at the foot of the North Downs approximately south of London, in Surrey, England.- History and development :...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
in 1817 and made it his country home. In 1827 he was High Sheriff of Surrey
High Sheriff of Surrey
-List of High Sheriffs of Surrey:The list of known High Sheriffs of Surrey extends back to 1066 At various times the High Sheriff of Surrey was also High Sheriff of Sussex -1066-1228:...
He also had a house at Eaton Square. He was a director of the Alliance Assurance Company and an alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
of the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
in the Spectacle Makers' Company. In 1832 he stood unsuccessfully for parliament at Brighton
Brighton (UK Parliament constituency)
Brighton was a parliamentary constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1832 until it was divided into single-member seats from the United Kingdom general election, 1950...
at the general election in 1832. He was returned 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,...
for the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
in August 1833, and sat until he lost the seat in June 1841. He was in favour of the abolition of the Window Taxes and opposed the Corn Laws and short parliaments. He died at Woodmansterne
Woodmansterne
Woodmansterne is a village in Reigate and Banstead borough of the county of Surrey, England. Woodmansterne village is located on the B278, which starts at Morden and winds through Carshalton past Oaks Park and into the village. The road continues down to Chipstead Bottom...
, Surrey and was buried in St Peter's Church there.
Crawford married Dorothy Elizabeth Rees at Bombay on 11 January 1802. Five children were born in Bombay, and three in England. His son Robert Wigram Crawford
Robert Wigram Crawford
Robert Wigram Crawford was a British East India merchant and Governor of the Bank of England and a Liberal Party politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1857 to 1874....
was also MP for the City of London. His daughter Jane married Henry Ray Freshfield
Henry Ray Freshfield
Henry Ray Freshfield was an English lawyer and conservationist.Freshfield was the fourth and youngest son of James William Freshfield and his wife Mary Blacket and was born at Lothbury. His father was a lawyer who established the firm of Freshfields...
.