Leslie Burgin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leslie Burgin
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| Member of Parliament for Luton |
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| In office 30 May 1929 – 15 June 1945 |
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| Preceded by | Terence O'Connor |
| Succeeded by | William Warbey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 July 1887 |
| Died | 16 August 1945 (aged 58) |
| Political party | Liberal National (1931-1945) Liberal (before 1931) |
Edward Leslie Burgin (born 13 July 1887 – died 16 August 1945) was a British politician. He was a member of the Liberal Party and later the Liberal National Party during the 1930s. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the town of Luton.
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Who Was Leslie Burgin?
Leslie Burgin was an important figure in British politics. He held several key government jobs before and during World War II. He was known for his legal background and his work in different government departments.
Early Life and Education
Leslie Burgin was born on 13 July 1887. His father, Edward Lambert Burgin, was a solicitor, which is a type of lawyer. Leslie followed in his father's footsteps. He studied law at the University of London. He earned his first law degree in 1908 and a higher law degree in 1913.
After his studies, Burgin became a solicitor himself. He specialized in international law, which deals with laws between different countries. He also worked as a director of legal studies for the Law Society, helping to train new lawyers.
Starting a Political Career
Before becoming an MP, Leslie Burgin tried to get elected to Parliament several times. He ran for election in areas like Hornsey and East Ham North. However, he was not successful in these early attempts.
In the 1929 general election, Burgin finally won a seat in Parliament. He was elected as a Liberal MP for Luton. In 1931, he joined a new group called the Liberal Nationals. This group worked closely with the main government at the time. He was also made a Charity Commissioner, helping to oversee charities.
Important Government Roles
In 1932, Leslie Burgin became the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade. This role involved helping with trade and business matters for the country. In 1937, he was given a special honor when he joined the Privy Council. This is a group of important advisors to the King or Queen.
Later in 1937, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain chose Burgin to be the Minister of Transport. In this job, he was in charge of things like roads, railways, and shipping.
In April 1939, just before World War II began, Burgin was given an even bigger role. He became the first ever Minister of Supply. This new job was very important because it meant he was responsible for making sure Britain had enough weapons, equipment, and supplies for the war. For the first three months, he was officially a Minister without Portfolio because the new job had not yet been made into a law.
Later Life and Legacy
When Winston Churchill became Prime Minister during World War II, Leslie Burgin was not included in the new government. He continued to serve as an MP until the 1945 general election, when he decided to retire.
Leslie Burgin passed away in August 1945, at the age of 58. He played a part in British politics during a very important time in history, especially in preparing the country for war.
