Briggs Priestley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Briggs Priestley
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Briggs Priestley
March 16, 1831 Thornton, U.K.
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| Died | October 21, 1907 (aged 76) Ferncliffe, Appleby Bridge, U.K.
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| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Textile industrialist and Member of Parliament |
| Relatives | William and Arthur (sons) Henry (brother) |
Briggs Priestley (born March 16, 1831 – died October 21, 1907) was an important English businessman. He made cloth and was also a Liberal Party politician. He came from Bradford in West Yorkshire.
Contents
Early Life and Business Success
Briggs Priestley was born in a town called Thornton. This was in an area known as the West Riding of Yorkshire. He started working at a young age. His first job was as a millhand. This means he worked in a factory that made cloth.
He worked at the Craven and Harrop factory in Thornton. Briggs Priestley was very hardworking. He kept learning and moving up in his career. In 1858, he became a business partner with Francis Craven.
Growing His Textile Business
Just two years later, in 1860, he teamed up with his brother Henry. They worked together at a place called Shearbridge Mills. Later, Briggs Priestley took over another factory. This one was called Atlas Mills in Laisterdyke.
He also owned other factories in Thornton. These factories made a special type of wool fabric called worsted. His company was one of the first to make waterproof fabrics. This was a big deal at the time!
Helping His Community
Briggs Priestley cared a lot about his community. He wanted to make life better for people in Bradford. In 1867, he was chosen to be part of the Bradford Town Council. This council helped run the town.
He helped create a new park for everyone to enjoy. This park was in an area called Horton. He also helped start an art gallery and a museum in Bradford. These places allowed people to see art and learn new things.
Supporting Education and Health
Briggs Priestley also believed in helping children. In 1868, he opened a free school. This school was for children who had lost their parents. It was in the New Leeds district. Two years later, he opened another free school. This one was on Bolton Road.
In 1877, he became the Mayor of Bradford. This was a very important job! As Mayor, he helped raise money for Bradford College. This college helped young people get an education.
He became an alderman in 1879. An alderman was a senior member of the town council. He stopped working for the council in 1880. Briggs Priestley was also part of many other groups. He was on the Council of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce. He also helped with the Bradford Board of Guardians and the Infirmary Board. He was also a J.P., which meant he helped keep law and order.
A Career in Politics
Briggs Priestley was a strong supporter of the Liberal Party. This was a major political party in the United Kingdom. He became the president of the East Bradford Liberal Association.
Serving as a Member of Parliament
In 1885, he was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP). An MP is someone who represents a certain area in the country's government. He represented the area called Pudsey. He won this election in 1885.
Briggs Priestley kept his seat in the House of Commons until 1900. The House of Commons is where MPs meet to make laws. He decided to retire from politics in 1900. He even donated a bandstand to the town of Pudsey.
Briggs Priestley lived in a place called Ferncliffe. He passed away there when he was 76 years old. His sons also became important politicians. His son William later became an MP for Bradford East. His youngest son, Sir Arthur, became an MP for Grantham.
