Thomas Challis facts for kids

Thomas Challis (born July 1, 1794 – died August 20, 1874) was an important British businessman and a Liberal Party politician. He held several big jobs, including being a Member of Parliament (MP) and even the Lord Mayor of London.

Early Life and Business

Thomas Challis was born in the City of London. He worked as a hide merchant, which means he bought and sold animal skins. His business was located in Bermondsey, a part of south London. He also worked as a skin broker in Finsbury, helping people buy and sell skins.

A Career in London Politics

Becoming an Alderman

In 1844, Thomas Challis was chosen to be an alderman for the Cripplegate Ward. An alderman is a senior member of the local government in the City of London. He kept this important job until he passed away at 80 years old. At that time, he was the longest-serving alderman in the City of London.

Sheriff and Lord Mayor

From 1846 to 1847, Challis served as the Sheriff of London and Middlesex. This was another key role in the city's government. Later, in 1856–57, he reached a very high position: he became the Lord Mayor of London.

Guild Membership

Thomas Challis was also a member of the Worshipful Company of Butchers. These "Worshipful Companies" are old trade groups or guilds in London. He was even the leader, or "master," of this company in 1839.

Serving in Parliament

Election to Parliament

In June 1852, a general election was called in the UK. Many people in the Clerkenwell area, about 500 of them, asked Thomas Challis to run for a seat in Finsbury. This meant they wanted him to become a Member of Parliament (MP).

Challis agreed to run. He promised that if he was elected, he would "use his own judgment." He also said he would be against any laws that only helped one group of people. His main goals were to be truthful and to work for the happiness of everyone.

A Single Term as MP

There were three candidates for the two available seats in Finsbury. Thomas Challis won one of the seats, along with another Liberal politician named Thomas Slingsby Duncombe. Challis served just one term in Parliament. He decided not to run again in the next general election in 1857.

Lord Mayor's Show and Later Life

Taking Office as Lord Mayor

On Michaelmas Day in 1852, the Corporation of London officially elected Thomas Challis as the Lord Mayor of London. He started his new role on November 9. However, the usual big parade, called the Lord Mayor's Show, did not happen that year. This was because the City of London was busy preparing for the special funeral of the Duke of Wellington, a very famous military leader.

Final Years

Thomas Challis passed away at his home in Enfield, Middlesex. He was buried at Enfield Chase Cemetery.