William Wills, 1st Baron Winterstoke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Winterstoke
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Sir William Wills
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| Member of the British Parliament for Coventry |
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| In office 1880–1885 Serving with
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| Preceded by |
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| Succeeded by | Henry Eaton |
| Member of the British Parliament for Bristol East |
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| In office 1895–1900 |
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| Preceded by | Sir Joseph Dodge Weston |
| Succeeded by | Charles Hobhouse |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 September 1830 |
| Died | 29 January 1911 (aged 80) |
| Political party | Liberal |
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William Henry Wills (born September 1, 1830 – died January 29, 1911) was an important British businessman and politician. He was also known as Sir William Wills and later as Lord Winterstoke. He was famous for his kindness and for giving money to good causes.
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About William Henry Wills
William Henry Wills was the son of William Day Wills. He came from the wealthy Wills family, who were well-known in Bristol. Many of his relatives were also important figures, like Henry Overton Wills III, who helped start the University of Bristol.
His Business Career
The Wills family was very rich from importing tobacco into Britain. William Henry Wills joined the family business, W. D. & H. O. Wills, when he was young. In 1858, he became a partner with two of his cousins.
Later, their company became a big part of the Imperial Tobacco Company. William Henry Wills was the first chairman of this large company. People saw him as the leader of the tobacco industry in Britain. He was also the chairman of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce. In 1904, he gave the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery to the people of Bristol.
His Political Life
William Henry Wills was involved in local government in Bristol from 1862 to 1880. He also served as the High Sheriff of Bristol from 1877 to 1878.
He was a Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) for two different periods. He represented Coventry from 1880 to 1885. Later, he represented Bristol East from 1895 to 1900. In 1905, he was the High Sheriff of Somerset.
In 1893, he was given the special title of Baronet. This meant he was called Sir William Wills. In 1906, he was given an even higher title, Baron Winterstoke. He chose the name Winterstoke because his home was in an old area called Winterstoke.
His Personal Life
William Henry Wills went to Mill Hill School before he started working in the family tobacco business.
Lord Winterstoke loved the arts and supported them greatly. He was the president of the Royal West of England Academy (RWA) from 1898 until he passed away. He also gave money to create the Bristol City Art Gallery. The front of the building even says, "The Gift of Sir William Henry Wills to his Fellow Citizens 1904."
He was also the president of a charity called the Anchor Society in Bristol in 1866. He was also a vice-president of the Waverley Football Club starting in 1890.
William Henry Wills was a very religious person, following the nonconformist faith. He was very active in free churches. He helped with the Memorial Hall in London and supported the new Mansfield College in Oxford in 1886. He gave an organ and other help to the new chapel at Mill Hill School, which opened in 1898.
He married Elizabeth Perkins Stancomb on January 11, 1853. Elizabeth passed away on February 10, 1896. They adopted Elizabeth's two nieces.
Lord Winterstoke passed away in January 1911 at the age of 80. He did not have any children, so his special titles ended with him. A painting of Lord Winterstoke can be seen at Mansfield College, Oxford.
See also
- Royal West of England Academy
- Smoking in the United Kingdom
