George Lyall (1779–1853)
British businessman & politician (1779–1853)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
George Lyall (1779 – 1 September 1853)[1] was an English merchant and politician, Chairman of the Honourable East India Company for periods 1841–3 and 1844–6.[2]
George Lyall | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1 June 1779 |
| Died | 1 September 1853 |
| Occupations | Politician, ship-owner, merchant |
| Spouse | Margaret Ann Edwards |
| Children | George Lyall |
| Father | John Lyall |
| Relatives | William Lyall, Alfred Lyall |
Life
Lyall was the eldest son of John Lyall, a merchant and shipowner, and his wife Jane Comyn; Alfred Lyall and William Rowe Lyall were brothers.[2][3]
He had a range of other business interests involving shipping.[4] In 1825 he was a director of the New Zealand Company, a venture chaired by the wealthy John George Lambton, Whig MP (and later 1st Earl of Durham), that made the first attempt to colonise New Zealand.[5][6][7]
He served as a Conservative member of parliament (MP) for the City of London from 1833 to 1835 and again from 1841[4] to 1847.[8] He died in Park Crescent, Middlesex, present-day London.[2]
Family
Lyall was married, and with his wife Mary Ann née Edwardes had two sons and two daughters.[2] Their son George Lyall, Jnr was Member of Parliament for Whitehaven.[9] The other son, John Edwardes Lyall, became Advocate-General of Bengal. Their daughter Mary married William Forsyth QC.
