William Court Gully, 1st Viscount Selby facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable The Viscount Selby PC KC
Gully in 1895
Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom
In office 10 April 1895 – 8 June 1905
Monarch	Victoria Edward VII
Preceded by	Sir Arthur Peel
Succeeded by	Sir James Lowther
Personal details
Born	29 August 1835 (1835-08-29)
Died	6 November 1909 (1909-11-07) (aged 74)
Nationality	British
Political party	Liberal
Spouse	Elizabeth Selby (died 1906)
Alma mater	Trinity College, Cambridge

William Court Gully, 1st Viscount Selby (born August 29, 1835 – died November 6, 1909) was an important British lawyer and politician. He was a member of the Liberal Party. He is best known for being the Speaker of the House of Commons from 1895 to 1905.

Early Life and Education

William Court Gully was the son of James Manby Gully. His father was a successful doctor from Malvern. William went to University College School in London. After that, he studied at Trinity College, Cambridge. While at Cambridge, he was the president of the Union, which is a famous debating society.

In 1860, he became a lawyer, which is called being "called to the bar." He worked as a lawyer in the northern part of England. In 1877, he became a "King's Counsel" (KC). This is a special title for experienced lawyers.

Political Career Highlights

Gully in the Speaker's rooms, 1905

"Mr Speaker" as seen in Vanity Fair, September 1896

William Gully tried to become a Member of Parliament (MP) for Whitehaven in 1880 and 1883. He did not win those elections. However, in 1886, he was elected as an MP for Carlisle. He continued to represent Carlisle until he was given a special title called a "peerage."

In April 1895, William Gully was chosen to be the Speaker of the House of Commons. This was a very important job. The Speaker leads debates in the House of Commons and makes sure rules are followed. He won the election by a small number of votes. Some politicians were surprised by his selection.

When he became Speaker, some members of the Conservative Party were not happy. They would sometimes shout "Bravo, Gully!" when he appeared. This was a joke about his father, who had been involved in a famous court case.

In 1905, William Gully decided to step down as Speaker. After this, he was given the title of Viscount Selby. This new title meant he became a member of the peerage, which is a group of high-ranking nobles. The name "Selby" came from his wife's family name.

He passed away in November 1909 when he was 74 years old. His son, James, took over his title.

Family Life

Lord Selby married Elizabeth Selby in 1865. She passed away in 1906. They had six children together:

• James William Herschell Gully, 2nd Viscount Selby (1867–1923)
• Hon. Edward Walford Karslake Gully (1870–1931)
• Hon. Gertrude Anne Gully (died 1949)
• Hon. Florence Julia Gully (died 1949)
• Hon. Mary Honorah Rhoda Gully (died 1961)
• Hon. Elizabeth Kate Shelley Gully (died 1908)

Coat of Arms

Arms of William Court Gully, 1st Viscount Selby

Coronet A Coronet of a Viscount Crest Between two wings erect Or an arm vested Sable cuffed Argent the hand grasping a sword erect Proper. Escutcheon Argent a lion rampant Sable between four escallops Gules on a chief of the last as many escallops Or. Supporters Dexter an owl Sable charged with a balance Or sinister an eagle Sable charged with a portcullis Or. Motto NEC TEMERE NEC TARDE (Neither Rashly Nor Slowly)