Richard Pilkington (Newton MP)
British politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Richard Pilkington (17 January 1841 – 12 March 1908) was a British Conservative politician and member of the Pilkington glass-manufacturing family.
Colonel Richard Pilkington | |
|---|---|
| |
| Member of Parliament for Newton | |
| In office 16 January 1899 – 7 February 1906 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Wodehouse Legh |
| Succeeded by | James Andrew Seddon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 January 1841 |
| Died | 12 March 1908 (aged 67) |
| Party | Conservative |
| Spouse | Louisa Sinclair |
| Relatives | Charles Pilkington (brother) Richard Evans (1778–1864) (grandfather)[1] |
He was the second son of Richard Pilkington of Windle Hall near St Helens, Lancashire. In 1858/59 he became a partner in the family glassworks.[2]
In 1863 he married Louisa Sinclair and in 1885 he bought the Rainford Hall estate, commissioning James Medland Taylor to build a new house. The building is in the Jacobethan style, of red brick with sandstone dressings.[3]
He became a member of St Helens Borough Council, holding the office of mayor in 1881, 1896, 1897 and 1898.[4][5] By this time he held the rank of lieutenant-colonel, in the Volunteer Force and commanded a battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment.[6]
In December 1898 he was selected as the Conservative candidate for a by-election in the Newton constituency. He had previously been considered a Liberal Unionist.[6] As the only candidate nominated he was elected unopposed on 16 January 1899.[7]
Pilkington held his seat at the subsequent general election in 1900, but was defeated in 1906 by a Labour candidate.[8][9]
Richard Pilkington died on 12 March 1908, aged 67. A condition in his will forbade the inheritors of his estate from permitting the construction or use of any building for the sale of intoxicating liquor.[10]
