Richard Davies (29 November 1818 – 27 October 1896) was a Welsh businessman and ship-owner and nonconformist Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1868 to 1886.
Richard Davies MP circa 1893
Davies was born at Llangefni, Anglesey, the son of Richard Davies, a merchant of Llangefni, and his wife Anne Jones of Coed Hywel.[1] He was educated at Llangefni national school. When his father set up subsidiary businesses under the management of his three sons, Richard Davies was assigned to the old ferry-terminal of Porthaethwy, which was reconstituted as Menai Bridge. This timber importing business developed so successfully that all the family became involved and the business developed into large-scale ship-owning which generated considerable wealth, based to a large extent on guano.[2] His brother, Robert, was renowned as a philanthropist.
At one time Davies lived at Bwlch-y-fen, but afterwards at Treborth, opposite Menai Bridge and was a benefactor to Bangor Normal College and to the ‘British’ schools. He was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Anglesey in 1884.[2]
Davies died at Treborth at the age of 77 and was buried in Llandysilio churchyard. Famously his final words are reputed to be "cannot be fathomed". A memorial to him is in the Menai Bridge English Presbyterian Church alongside memorials to other members of the family. ..(The Davies' family was closely associated with this church, it having been built at Robert's expense.)
Davies married Anne Rees, daughter of Rev. Henry Rees of Liverpool and niece of William Rees in 1855 and had several children, among whom were
^Craig, F. W. S. (1989) [1977]. British parliamentary election results 1832–1885 (2nd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 500. ISBN0-900178-26-4.
^Craig, F. W. S. (1989) [1974]. British parliamentary election results 1885–1918 (2nd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 467. ISBN0-900178-27-2.
^Anglesey County Record Office -H. R. (Henry Rees) Davies Papers
^"Marriages". The Times. No. 36896. London. 11 October 1902. p. 1.
ExternalEdit
Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Richard Davies
richard, davies, other, people, named, richard, davies, richard, davies, disambiguation, richard, davies, november, 1818, october, 1896, welsh, businessman, ship, owner, nonconformist, liberal, politician, house, commons, from, 1868, 1886, richard, davies, cir. For other people named Richard Davies see Richard Davies disambiguation Richard Davies 29 November 1818 27 October 1896 was a Welsh businessman and ship owner and nonconformist Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1868 to 1886 Richard Davies MP circa 1893Davies was born at Llangefni Anglesey the son of Richard Davies a merchant of Llangefni and his wife Anne Jones of Coed Hywel 1 He was educated at Llangefni national school When his father set up subsidiary businesses under the management of his three sons Richard Davies was assigned to the old ferry terminal of Porthaethwy which was reconstituted as Menai Bridge This timber importing business developed so successfully that all the family became involved and the business developed into large scale ship owning which generated considerable wealth based to a large extent on guano 2 His brother Robert was renowned as a philanthropist Davies became a notable figure in politics as a Welsh radical nonconformist He stood as Liberal candidate for Caernarvon at the 1852 general election but lost by 93 votes 3 Davies was Anglesey s first Nonconformist J P and was High Sheriff of Anglesey in 1858 He was elected unopposed as the Member of Parliament MP for Anglesey in the election of 1868 4 He retained the seat till the 1886 general election when he retired 5 being opposed to the proposal for Irish Home Rule 2 At one time Davies lived at Bwlch y fen but afterwards at Treborth opposite Menai Bridge and was a benefactor to Bangor Normal College and to the British schools He was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Anglesey in 1884 2 Davies died at Treborth at the age of 77 and was buried in Llandysilio churchyard Famously his final words are reputed to be cannot be fathomed A memorial to him is in the Menai Bridge English Presbyterian Church alongside memorials to other members of the family The Davies family was closely associated with this church it having been built at Robert s expense Davies married Anne Rees daughter of Rev Henry Rees of Liverpool and niece of William Rees in 1855 and had several children among whom were Henry Rees Davies 6 Beatrice Conway Davies who married in 1902 Richard Hughes 7 References Edit Debretts House of Commons and the Judicial Bench 1886 a b c Richard Davies Dictionary of Welsh Biography National Library of Wales Craig F W S 1989 1977 British parliamentary election results 1832 1885 2nd ed Chichester Parliamentary Research Services p 500 ISBN 0 900178 26 4 Craig op cit page 517 Craig F W S 1989 1974 British parliamentary election results 1885 1918 2nd ed Chichester Parliamentary Research Services p 467 ISBN 0 900178 27 2 Anglesey County Record Office H R Henry Rees Davies Papers Marriages The Times No 36896 London 11 October 1902 p 1 External EditHansard 1803 2005 contributions in Parliament by Richard DaviesParliament of the United KingdomPreceded bySir Richard Williams Bulkeley Bt Member of Parliament for Anglesey1868 1892 Succeeded byThomas LewisHonorary titlesPreceded byJohn Thomas Roberts High Sheriff of Anglesey1858 1859 Succeeded byHenry Owen WilliamsPreceded byWilliam Owen Stanley Lord Lieutenant of Anglesey1884 1896 Succeeded bySir Richard Williams Bulkeley Bt nbsp nbsp This article about a Liberal Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte nbsp nbsp nbsp This article about a Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom since 1801 for a Welsh constituency is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Richard Davies MP amp oldid 1063014794, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
