Henry Meysey-Thompson, 1st Baron Knaresborough facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry Meysey-Thompson, 1st Baron Knaresborough
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Portrait of Meysey-Thompson by R. G. Eves, 1912
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| Member of Parliament for Handsworth | |
| In office 1892–1906 |
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| Preceded by | Henry Samuel Wiggin |
| Succeeded by | Ernest Meysey-Thompson |
| Member of Parliament for Brigg | |
| In office 1885–1886 |
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| Preceded by | New constituency |
| Succeeded by | Samuel Danks Waddy |
| Member of Parliament for Knaresborough | |
| In office 1880–1881 |
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| Preceded by | Basil Thomas Woodd |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Collins |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 September 1824 Kirby Hall, near Great Ouseburn, North Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 15 December 1895 (aged 71) London, England |
| Political party | Liberal, Liberal Unionist |
| Spouses |
Ethel Adeline Pottinger
(m. 1885) |
| Parents | Sir Harry Meysey-Thompson, 1st Baronet Elizabeth Anne Croft |
| Education | Eton College |
| Alma mater | Trinity College, Cambridge |
Henry Meysey Meysey-Thompson (born August 30, 1845 – died March 3, 1929) was an important British politician. He was a Member of Parliament (MP), which means he was elected to help make laws for the country. He started as a member of the Liberal Party and later joined the Liberal Unionist Party. He served in the House of Commons for many years, between 1880 and 1905. In 1905, he was given a special title and became Baron Knaresborough, which meant he joined the House of Lords.
Growing Up and Education
Henry Meysey-Thompson was born at Kirby Hall in North Yorkshire, England. His father was Sir Harry Meysey-Thompson, 1st Baronet, and his mother was Elizabeth Anne Croft. A "Baronet" is a special title, like a knight, that can be passed down in the family.
Henry had two brothers, Albert and Charles. They were both talented football players! They even won the FA Cup with their team, the Wanderers, in 1872 and 1873.
Henry went to two famous schools: Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge. At Cambridge, he was a great athlete and earned a special award called a "blue" for his achievements in sports. He finished his studies in 1868.
Political Career
After college, Henry worked as a private secretary for William Ewart Gladstone, who was a very important Prime Minister. In 1874, Henry inherited the title of Baronet from his father. This title had only been created for his father a short time before.
Henry also served as a Justice of the Peace (J.P.) in Yorkshire. This meant he helped keep law and order in the area. He was also a captain in a special cavalry unit called the Yorkshire Hussars Yeoman Cavalry.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
In 1880, Henry was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Knaresborough. An MP represents a specific area, called a constituency, in the House of Commons. However, his election was later cancelled.
He tried again in 1885 and was elected MP for Brigg. But in 1886, he disagreed with the leader of his party, Gladstone, about a law called the Irish Home Rule Bill. Because of this, Henry left the Liberal Party and joined a new group called the Liberal Unionist Party. He was not re-elected in that year.
Henry didn't give up! In 1892, he was elected MP for Handsworth. He held this seat until December 26, 1905. On that day, he was given a special honor and became Baron Knaresborough. This meant he moved from the House of Commons to the House of Lords, another part of the UK Parliament.
Later in his life, Lord Knaresborough became the chairman of the North Eastern Railway company. He held this important position from 1912 to 1922.
Family Life
On April 21, 1885, Henry Meysey-Thompson married Ethel Adeline Pottinger. Her father was Sir Henry Pottinger, 3rd Baronet. Around 1901, a famous American artist named John Singer Sargent painted a beautiful portrait of Ethel.
Henry and Ethel had five children: one son and four daughters.
- Violet Ethel Meysey-Thompson (1886–1960)
- Claude Henry Meysey-Thompson (1887–1915), who sadly died during World War I from injuries he received in battle.
- Helen Winifred Meysey-Thompson (1889–1958)
- Doris Mary Pottinger Meysey-Thompson (1899–1953)
- Gwendolen Carlis Meysey-Thompson (1903–1989)
Henry Meysey Meysey-Thompson passed away in London when he was 83 years old. When he died in 1929, his title of Baron Knaresborough ended because he had no surviving sons to inherit it. However, the Baronet title passed to his nephew.
