Richard Fothergill (8 November 1822 – 24 June 1903) was an English ironmaster, a coalmine-owner in Wales and a Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1868 to 1880.
Richard Fothergill's coat of arms
James Sant, Mary Fothergill and her children Richard and Mary. Oil on canvas, exhibited at the Royal Academy 1864. Fothergill's second wife.
Fothergill was the son of Richard Fothergill of Lowbridge House, near Kendal and his wife Charlotte Elderton, daughter of Charles Elderton, Esq. He was educated at the Military Academy, Edinburgh.[1]
Career
Fothergill succeeded his uncle Rowland Fothergill (1749-1871) as manager, of the Aberdare iron-works and was later their proprietor. During this period a campaign was conducted against the company for their alleged support of the truck system. The campaign was led by Thomas Price of Calfaria, Aberdare, although ironically he and Fothergill soon buried their differences and became allies in the world of local politics.[2]
In 1854 he was elected on the first Aberdare Local Board of Health and soon became its chairman. In 1857, however, Fothergill was prosecuted for alleged misconduct during the Board of Health election. The case was dismissed by the Police Court on the basis that intent could not be proved.[3] As a result of this episode, Fothergill temporarily retired from public life although the episode served to strengthen the alliance between Fothergill and Thomas Price, who had been a fellow candidate at the election.[4]
Following the closure of the Aberaman Ironworks in 1858, Fothergill became the most substantial ironmaster in the Aberdare Valley, although his works at Llwydcoed and Abernant were small compared with those at Merthyr.[5] In 1862 he acquired the Plymouth works near Merthyr where he developed the business significantly by introducing the hot-blast system . He also acquired the Penydarren works, and thus acquired at Merthyr almost as much prestige and popularity there as he had at Aberdare.[6] He became J.P. and Deputy Lieutenant for Glamorgan and a J.P. for Pembrokeshire.[1]
Politics
At the 1868 general election, Merthyr Tydfil became a two-member constituency with a much-increased electorate as a result of the Second Reform Act of 1867. Since the formation of the constituency, Merthyr Tydfil had dominated representation as the vast majority of the electorate lived in the town and its vicinity, whereas there was a much lower number of electors in the neighbouring Aberdare Valley.[7] During the 1850s and 1860s, however, the population of Aberdare grew rapidly, and the franchise changes in 1867 gave the vote to large numbers of miners in that valley,
The middle-classes of the Aberdare Valley sought the right to select a second Liberal candidate and their choice soon fell upon Fothergill. He was also supported by the prominent Baptist minister, Thomas Price, with whom he has allied in the past. Price emerged as a supporter of Fothergill, arguing in an editorial in Seren Cymru that only if he declined an invitation to stand should the nomination be offered to a nonconformist radical.[8]
The sitting member, Henry Austen Bruce, remained unpopular as a result of his actions during the Aberdare Strike of 1857–8, although it initially appeared that the Fothergill would be elected to the second seat alongside Bruce. However, the appearance of a third Liberal candidate, Henry Richard, a nonconformist radical popular in both Merthyr and Aberdare, left Bruce on the defensive and he was ultimately defeated, finishing in third place behind both Richard and Fothergill. Fothergill held the seat until 1880.[9] In parliament he was a strong advocate for South Wales coal for use by the navy. In 1869, he was one of the original members of the Iron and Steel Institute, and in 1871 he became a member of its council.[6]
By 1879, Fothergill was in financial difficulties and there were calls for him to step aside. A deputation of tradesmen and working men who attended a meeting at Swansea to request to offer himself once again as a candidate but he eventually declined.[10]
Family
Fothergill married firstly in 1848, Elizabeth Lewis daughter of Edward Lewis and had one daughter Elizabeth. She died in 1849 and he married secondly in 1850, Mary Roden, daughter of William Roden [1] of Grindal Hall, Salop. Richard and Mary had six children.
Later life
Fothergill built a mansion and gardens at Aber-nant which is known as "Fothergill's Park" and which has since been the home of St Michael's College and the Aberdare hospital. He retired to Tenby where he died at the age of 80.[6]
References
^ abcMair, Robert Henry. (1870) Debrett's Illustrated House of Commons, and the Judicial Bench. 1870. London: Dean & Son, p. 107.
^"Representation of Merthyr. Conference at Swansea". Merthyr Telegraph. 1 August 1879. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
Bibliography
Jones, Ieuan Gwynedd (1964). "Dr. Thomas Price and the election of 1868 in Merthyr Tydfil : a study in nonconformist politics (Part One)" (PDF). Welsh History Review. 2 (2): 147–172.
Jones, Ieuan Gwynedd (1965). "Dr Thomas Price and the election of 1868 in Merthyr Tydfil: a study in nonconformist politics (Part Two)" (PDF). Welsh History Review. 2 (3): 251–70.
External links
Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Richard Fothergill
richard, fothergill, politician, richard, fothergill, november, 1822, june, 1903, english, ironmaster, coalmine, owner, wales, liberal, politician, house, commons, from, 1868, 1880, richard, fothergill, coat, arms, james, sant, mary, fothergill, children, rich. Richard Fothergill 8 November 1822 24 June 1903 was an English ironmaster a coalmine owner in Wales and a Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1868 to 1880 Richard Fothergill s coat of arms James Sant Mary Fothergill and her children Richard and Mary Oil on canvas exhibited at the Royal Academy 1864 Fothergill s second wife Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Politics 4 Family 5 Later life 6 References 7 Bibliography 8 External linksEarly life EditFothergill was the son of Richard Fothergill of Lowbridge House near Kendal and his wife Charlotte Elderton daughter of Charles Elderton Esq He was educated at the Military Academy Edinburgh 1 Career EditFothergill succeeded his uncle Rowland Fothergill 1749 1871 as manager of the Aberdare iron works and was later their proprietor During this period a campaign was conducted against the company for their alleged support of the truck system The campaign was led by Thomas Price of Calfaria Aberdare although ironically he and Fothergill soon buried their differences and became allies in the world of local politics 2 In 1854 he was elected on the first Aberdare Local Board of Health and soon became its chairman In 1857 however Fothergill was prosecuted for alleged misconduct during the Board of Health election The case was dismissed by the Police Court on the basis that intent could not be proved 3 As a result of this episode Fothergill temporarily retired from public life although the episode served to strengthen the alliance between Fothergill and Thomas Price who had been a fellow candidate at the election 4 Following the closure of the Aberaman Ironworks in 1858 Fothergill became the most substantial ironmaster in the Aberdare Valley although his works at Llwydcoed and Abernant were small compared with those at Merthyr 5 In 1862 he acquired the Plymouth works near Merthyr where he developed the business significantly by introducing the hot blast system He also acquired the Penydarren works and thus acquired at Merthyr almost as much prestige and popularity there as he had at Aberdare 6 He became J P and Deputy Lieutenant for Glamorgan and a J P for Pembrokeshire 1 Politics EditAt the 1868 general election Merthyr Tydfil became a two member constituency with a much increased electorate as a result of the Second Reform Act of 1867 Since the formation of the constituency Merthyr Tydfil had dominated representation as the vast majority of the electorate lived in the town and its vicinity whereas there was a much lower number of electors in the neighbouring Aberdare Valley 7 During the 1850s and 1860s however the population of Aberdare grew rapidly and the franchise changes in 1867 gave the vote to large numbers of miners in that valley The middle classes of the Aberdare Valley sought the right to select a second Liberal candidate and their choice soon fell upon Fothergill He was also supported by the prominent Baptist minister Thomas Price with whom he has allied in the past Price emerged as a supporter of Fothergill arguing in an editorial in Seren Cymru that only if he declined an invitation to stand should the nomination be offered to a nonconformist radical 8 The sitting member Henry Austen Bruce remained unpopular as a result of his actions during the Aberdare Strike of 1857 8 although it initially appeared that the Fothergill would be elected to the second seat alongside Bruce However the appearance of a third Liberal candidate Henry Richard a nonconformist radical popular in both Merthyr and Aberdare left Bruce on the defensive and he was ultimately defeated finishing in third place behind both Richard and Fothergill Fothergill held the seat until 1880 9 In parliament he was a strong advocate for South Wales coal for use by the navy In 1869 he was one of the original members of the Iron and Steel Institute and in 1871 he became a member of its council 6 By 1879 Fothergill was in financial difficulties and there were calls for him to step aside A deputation of tradesmen and working men who attended a meeting at Swansea to request to offer himself once again as a candidate but he eventually declined 10 Family EditFothergill married firstly in 1848 Elizabeth Lewis daughter of Edward Lewis and had one daughter Elizabeth She died in 1849 and he married secondly in 1850 Mary Roden daughter of William Roden 1 of Grindal Hall Salop Richard and Mary had six children Later life EditFothergill built a mansion and gardens at Aber nant which is known as Fothergill s Park and which has since been the home of St Michael s College and the Aberdare hospital He retired to Tenby where he died at the age of 80 6 References Edit a b c Mair Robert Henry 1870 Debrett s Illustrated House of Commons and the Judicial Bench 1870 London Dean amp Son p 107 Jones Thomas Price Part One 169 71 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help Prosecutions under the Local Board of Health Act Monmouthshire Merlin 31 October 1857 Retrieved 22 November 2013 Jones Thomas Price Part One 171 2 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help Jones Thomas Proce Part Two 251 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help a b c Price Watkin William Richard Fothergill III Dictionary of Welsh Biography National Library of Wales Jones Thomas Price Part Two 251 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help Jones Thomas Price Part Two 263 4 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help Leigh Rayment s Historical List of MPs Constituencies beginning with M part 2 Representation of Merthyr Conference at Swansea Merthyr Telegraph 1 August 1879 Retrieved 9 July 2014 Bibliography EditJones Ieuan Gwynedd 1964 Dr Thomas Price and the election of 1868 in Merthyr Tydfil a study in nonconformist politics Part One PDF Welsh History Review 2 2 147 172 Jones Ieuan Gwynedd 1965 Dr Thomas Price and the election of 1868 in Merthyr Tydfil a study in nonconformist politics Part Two PDF Welsh History Review 2 3 251 70 External links EditHansard 1803 2005 contributions in Parliament by Richard Fothergill http ebooks cambridge org chapter jsf bid CBO9780511795466 amp cid CBO9780511795466A025Parliament of the United KingdomPreceded byHenry Bruce Member of Parliament for Merthyr Tydfil1868 1880 With Henry Richard Succeeded byHenry RichardCharles James Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Richard Fothergill politician amp oldid 1052057772, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
