Charles Lawrence (Liverpool merchant) facts for kids

Charles Lawrence (born 1776, died 1853) was an important businessman in Liverpool, England. He worked as a merchant and was chosen to be the Mayor of Liverpool from 1823 to 1824. He is best known for being the chairman of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway, a famous railway line that opened in 1830.

Early Life and Family

Charles Lawrence was born in 1776 in London. His parents were Richard James Lawrence and Mary Hall. In 1800, he married Rose D'Aguilar. She was a poet and a friend of another well-known poet, Felicia Hemans.

Business Ventures

The Lawrence family had business interests in the West Indies, a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. They owned a large property called the Fairfield Estate in Jamaica. This estate produced goods like coffee, sugar, molasses, and rum.

In 1830, when his father passed away, Charles Lawrence inherited a share of the estate. At that time, many people in the West Indies were enslaved. When slavery was abolished, the British government paid compensation to former slave owners. Charles Lawrence received some of this compensation along with his mother.

He ran his merchant business, called Charles Lawrence & Son, from premises in Liverpool. His son, George Hall Lawrence, later joined him in the business.

Political Role

Charles Lawrence had political beliefs that aligned with the Whig Party. This was a political group in Britain that supported reforms and changes. He was elected as the Mayor of Liverpool for the year 1823 to 1824. This was a very important leadership role in the city.

Railway Interests

Charles Lawrence played a key part in developing the Liverpool & Manchester Railway. He worked with other important people in Liverpool, such as Joseph Sandars, Henry Booth, and John Moss.

Once the British Parliament passed a law allowing the railway to be built, Charles Lawrence became the chairman. He led the project until 1845. At that time, the Liverpool & Manchester Railway joined with another company called the Grand Junction Railway. He also served as the Deputy Chairman for the Grand Junction Railway and invested in several other railway projects.

Later Life and Home

The Lawrence family first lived at Wavertree Hall, near the Wavertree Lane railway station. In 1843, the city bought the land where their home was located. This land later became Wavertree Park.

Around 1839, the Lawrences moved to Carnatic Hall in Mossley Hill, Liverpool. Sadly, this hall was destroyed by fire in 1891. In 1847, they hosted Robert Peel, who was the Prime Minister of Britain at the time. He was visiting Liverpool to unveil a statue of William Huskisson, a Member of Parliament. Huskisson had died in an accident on the opening day of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway. Charles Lawrence's son, George Hall Lawrence, was also the Mayor of Liverpool at this time.

Charles Lawrence passed away in 1853.