Sir James Lawrence, 1st Baronet facts for kids

Sir James Clarke Lawrence, 1st Baronet (born 1820, died 21 May 1897) was an important politician in London. He served as the Lord Mayor of London and was a member of the Liberal Party. He was elected to the House of Commons, which is part of the UK Parliament, from 1868 to 1885.

Early Life and Public Service

James Clarke Lawrence was the son of William Lawrence, who was also an important public figure in the City of London. His mother was Jane Clarke.

Lawrence held several key roles in London. He was an alderman, which is a senior member of a city council. He was also a Deputy Lieutenant for the City of London and a J.P. for Middlesex, Surrey, and Westminster. From 1862 to 1863, he served as the Sheriff of London and Middlesex. He was also the president of the Bridewell and Bethlehem Hospitals, which were important institutions at the time.

Political Career

Lawrence first became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Lambeth in 1865 after a special election. However, he lost this seat in the general election later that same year.

In 1868, he became the Lord Mayor of London. This is a very old and important role, like being the chief leader of the City of London. Soon after, he was re-elected as the MP for Lambeth in the 1868 general election.

He received a special honor in November 1869. He was made a baronet, which is a title of honor, when the Holborn Viaduct and Blackfriars Bridge were officially opened. These were big new construction projects in London. Lawrence continued to represent Lambeth in Parliament until 1885.

In 1886, Lawrence tried to become an MP again. He ran for the West Carmarthenshire area in Wales. This time, he ran as a Liberal Unionist, but he was not elected.

Support for Unitarianism

James Clarke Lawrence and his brother, Edwin, were very helpful to the Unitarian religious movement. They gave a piece of land in Kensington that was worth £5000. A church was built there in 1887.

A Unitarian group, which had started in 1774, moved to this new church. This allowed their old building, the Essex Street Chapel, to be used for offices and to help the wider Unitarian community.

Family and Legacy

Lawrence was married to Agnes Harriette Castle. They had one child named Theodora. He passed away at the age of 76.

His brother, William Lawrence, was also an MP for the City of London. Another brother, Edwin Durning-Lawrence, was an MP for Truro. His nephew, Frederick Pethick-Lawrence, later became a famous MP who supported peace and women's right to vote.

Sir James Clarke Lawrence is buried in the Lawrence family vault at Kensal Green Cemetery in London.

Images for kids

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  A royal procession under the Holborn Viaduct in 1869.

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  Blackfriars Bridge

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  Family vault of James Clarke Lawrence in Kensal Green Cemetery