Isaac Fletcher (British politician) facts for kids

Issac Fletcher (1827 – 3 April 1879) was an important British businessman and politician. He was known as an ironmaster, meaning he owned or managed iron factories. He was also a Liberal politician. This means he was part of a political group that believed in certain ideas. He served in the House of Commons from 1868 to 1879. The House of Commons is a main part of the UK Parliament, where laws are made.

Isaac Fletcher's Early Life and Political Career

Issac Fletcher was born in 1827 in Greysouthen, Cumberland. His family were Quakers, a religious group known for their peaceful beliefs. In 1868, he was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Cockermouth. He was a moderate Liberal, meaning he held balanced political views.

Business Ventures and Local Influence

Issac Fletcher had many different business interests. Like his father and grandfather, he owned coal mines. These were very large mines. For example, the Clifton Colliery employed 600 people. It could produce up to 800 tons of coal every day. This mine was very important for the local economy.

Fletcher also had interests in the iron industry. He owned quarries and mines that supplied materials like limestone and iron-ore. These materials were needed to make iron. He was also involved with railways. He was a major shareholder in the Cockermouth and Workington Railway. He also chaired the Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith Railway Company. He was a Trustee of Workington Harbour. This shows he played a big part in local businesses and transport.

Fletcher also served as a justice of the peace for Cumberland. This role meant he helped with local law and order.

Isaac Fletcher's Scientific and Historical Interests

Issac Fletcher was not just a businessman and politician. He also loved science, especially astronomy. Astronomy is the study of stars, planets, and space.

Astronomy and His Private Observatory

He built his own private observatory at Tarn Bank, his home in Cumberland. An observatory is a place with telescopes for looking at space. He started with a smaller telescope. Later, in 1857, he bought a much larger one. This was a 9½-inch refracting telescope from Thomas Cooke and Sons.

Fletcher became a member of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1849. This is a very important group for astronomers. He wrote sixteen papers for their magazine, the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. In 1855, he was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is one of the highest honors for scientists in the UK.

Geology and History Studies

Fletcher was also interested in geology, the study of Earth's rocks and history. He was a member of the Geological Society of London. He set up a network of rain-gauges in the Lake District. He reported the rainfall each year. He also supported a plan to supply Manchester with water from Thirlmere, a lake in the Lake District.

Besides science, Fletcher was interested in history. He was a member of the Society of Antiquaries of London. This group studies old objects and history. He researched the history of industries in Cumberland. In 1878, he published a paper called "The Archaeology of the West Cumberland Coal Trade." This paper looked at the history of coal mining in that area.