Galloway Weir

Born in Scotland, he was the son of a builder, James Ross Weir. He was a pupil at Dollar Academy before moving with his family to London as a young man. He worked as a travelling salesman for a haberdashery company before he went into business on his own account in 1863 importing sewing machines.^[1] He retired from business in about 1879/80 to pursue politics full-time.^[1] Weir's brother, John Weir became the secretary of the Fife and Kinross Miners' Association.^[6]

He unsuccessfully contested the Falkirk Burghs constituency in 1885, when he got a derisory vote. He was elected for Ross and Cromarty as one of five Crofters' Party MPs in 1892, transferring his allegiance to the mainstream Liberal Party in 1895.^[7] He held the seat until his death.

He was also elected to the London County Council in 1892 to represent Islington East as a member of the majority Liberal-backed Progressive Party.^[8]

He died at his home in Frognal, Hampstead in 1911 aged 71, and was buried at Marylebone Cemetery.^[1]