Thomas Somerset (Northern Ireland politician)
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Sir Thomas Somserset | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for North Belfast | |
| In office 1929–1945 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas McConnell |
| Succeeded by | William Frederick Neill |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 December 1870 Largymore, County Down, Ireland |
| Died | 16 June 1947 (aged 76) Upper Malone Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Party | Ulster Unionist Party |
| Occupation | Politician and industrialist |
Sir Thomas Somerset DL (14 December 1870 – 16 June 1947) was an industrialist and Ulster Unionist Member of Parliament (MP) for North Belfast from 1929 to 1945.
Thomas Somerset was the son of an engineer, James Somerset.[1] Somerset was a native of Largymore, County Down.[2] He established Thomas Somerset and Co. Ltd., linen manufacturers in 1891. This enterprise proved profitable, with factories at Belfast, Dublin, Greyabbey and Portaferry, giving employment to over 1,200 people.[3][4] He was also a director of Commercial Insurance Co. of Ireland, Ltd., and Chairman of the Northern Counties Committee of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway.[5][2]
Somerset was elected MP for North Belfast in 1929, holding his seat to 1945.[5][6] He was knighted in 1936.[5] Somerset died on 16 June 1947 at his home at The Weir on the Upper Malone Road, South Belfast.[1]
